Normal life has recovered in the valley after tensions in Jamu and Kashmir have increased over the past few days. Buyers held a weekly flea market in Srinagar on May 11, 2025. Photo: Imran Nissar/India
The guns remain silent on the control line in Jamu and Kashmir after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire, and it sounds like they are looking forward to returning home after residents who agreed to the ceasefire on Sunday (May 11, 2025). However, due to the mess of on-site explosives, many such villages may still not have scope.
In the Kupwara and Balamura border area of the Kashmir Valley, Pornchi and Rajuri of the Pier Panjar Valley have witnessed at least 18 civilians died after many days of shelling and cross-border shooting. Many villagers in Jamu and Kashmir have begun to return to damaged houses and resume their daily work.
India – Pakistan Ceasefire Live: Following the latest update from May 11, 2025
In Baramulla’s URI, the shops reopened and people shopped in major markets. The villages around Uri are one of the worst affected villages in Pakistan’s shelling, with more than a dozen buildings damaged. About 100 families fled Silikote, Salamabad, Churanda and pockets along the neutral line of the LOC.
After Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling, about 500 people had to take refuge in multiple centres, including two schools in Balamula. Dozens of children who missed the school were delighted to be able to rejoin their school. “We studied at a school in Uri Tehsil. I haven’t seen my classmates in days. Once it reopened, I’m happy to go back to school. I pray that the shelling will not happen again,” said Sadia Ji, a Grade 8 student.
The Pangshi district in the Chamu area was the first to be bombarded by Pakistani shelling. An official said the area’s police and court complex suffered damage in the shelling. Poonch Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal visited several areas including Qazi Mohra, Dungus, Sarain, Jamia Zia Zia ul Uloom, Geeta Bhawan, Kamsar and Kama Khan. “All of these areas have been damaged by shelling,” Kundal said. Of the 18 civilian deaths in the Union territory, 14 were from the Poonch area.
Meanwhile, police urged locals to avoid returning to frontline areas. “We do not allow us to return. We were told that the area will be cleared first.” In the place where Silikote, the Balamula Government College of Women, has provided shelter for the population displaced from URI. Police said there was a risk of “no ammunition that exploded after Pakistan’s shelling”.
The head of the national conference from Uri Sajjad Shafi and MLA said, “Unexploded shells spread from Dachi to Kamalkote and Duwalta to Garkote in Uri”.
“The ceasefire has only been effective within the last 24 hours. Let the area be disinfected and unexploded shells. It will take several days. We will remind people to return to their villages thereafter,” Shafi said.
Former J&K Chief Minister and People’s Democratic President Mehbooba Mufti visited Salamabad near LOC. Ms. Mufti said: “Our injured hospital is lying in the hospital. Our family is crowded in shelters. Our houses are reduced to rubble. That’s why Kashmir is crying for peace, not war.”
She said those who defeated the war drums would not hear our children crying. “They don’t see our parents breaking in under the weight of fear and loss. We need houses, not bunkers. We want our children to grow up and not be buried under violence. The war rave must stop.”
In appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ms. Mufti said: “Decision makers should prioritize dialogue over military escalation. Let’s build a future, a future where J&K’s kids can live without fear,” she added.
publishing – May 11, 2025 11:02 pm ist
