Srinagar/Jammu: There was a semblance of normalcy in Kashmir valley as residents witnessed the first night in six days without the sound of aircraft, missiles and drones flying overhead.
“There was no ceasefire violation reported from any sector along the Line of Control in Kashmir after 11 pm on Saturday,” officials said here.
Shahjahan Dar, a resident of Rawalpora, said, “It has been a while since we slept well. We are thankful to the Almighty and everyone else who played a role in ending the war.”
A large number of people who had migrated from border areas to relatively safer areas, however, want to wait a couple of days before returning home.
“We saw drones and rockets flying all over last night even after a ceasefire was announced. We are praying that this ceasefire is permanent but we want to wait a couple of days,” Abdul Aziz, a resident of Uri, said.
Dozens of drones were seen flying over Kashmir valley on Saturday evening in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control and International Border on Saturday.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that the directors general of military operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan have agreed to stop all firings and military action on land, air and sea with effect from 5 pm on Saturday. The brief announcement by the foreign secretary came shortly after US President Donald Trump said India and Pakistan have agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” after talks mediated by the US.
In Jammu too, no overnight cross-border shelling or drone activity was reported from anywhere across the region, officials said on Sunday.
An uneasy calm prevailed on the borders, especially along the Line of Control (LoC) in the worst-hit twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, throughout the night, the officials said.
They said no ceasefire violation or drone activity was reported from anywhere, bringing relief to the people who woke up in a peaceful atmosphere and resumed normal activities this morning.
As many as 27 persons, including five security personnel, were killed and scores of others injured in intense shelling and drone attacks from Pakistan since May 7.
Series of blasts had also rocked Jammu city and other major towns, including areas close to the International Border, in the past three days.
Govt orders property damage assessment in shelling-hit Poonch
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday called for a detailed assessment of the property damaged in Poonch, the border district worst hit by the Pakistani shelling between May 7 and 10, an official said.
Twenty persons, including some security personnel, lost their lives and over 50 others were injured in cross-border shelling in the district with a large number of houses, religious places and commercial buildings damaged along with dozens of private vehicles.
Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Vikas Kundal, on Sunday visited several areas of the town affected by the recent cross-border shelling and directed the authorities concerned to conduct a detailed assessment of property damage and submit comprehensive reports promptly.
During the visit, Kundal inspected Qazi Mohra, Dungus, Sarain, district police lines, district court complex, Jamia Zia Ul Uloom, Geeta Bhawan, Kamsar, radio station, Gurudwara Singh Sabha and Kama Khan — all of which suffered damage due to the shelling, an official spokesman said.
He said the deputy commissioner interacted with local residents and took stock of the ground situation, assuring the affected residents and institutions of all necessary support.
Officials were also instructed to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation in coordination with local agencies, the spokesman said, adding that Kundal is expected to visit the remaining areas affected by the shelling shortly to assess the situation firsthand.
Meanwhile, National Conference leader and MP Mian Altaf along with independent MLA Choudhary Mohd Akram visited the Poonch town to assess the damage to public and private properties.
Altaf met the office bearers of the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and assured the community of all possible help in the reconstruction of the historic place of worship.
He also visited the district hospital to enquire about the health of those injured in the Pakistani shelling.
Talking to reporters, the MP demanded adequate compensation to the families hit by shelling, including those who lost their members and houses.
