Srinagar, May 12: At first light, Abdul Rahman Khan, 58, packed his belongings and started his return journey home.
Hailing from Uri’s Madhan, Khan was among hundreds who fled Pakistan’s shelling and stayed at different shelter camps across Baramula. Khan and his family has been putting up at the Government’s Women’s College, Baramulla, to escape shelling.
Since India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire, Khan decided to return with a prayer for lasting peace on his lips. “It was indeed a testing time for us. We are now returning home as police have assured us of the successful demolition of unexploded shells,” he said.
Khan, who is heading a group of villagers, has returned to their villages, carrying bundles of belongings, memories of fear, and a renewed hope for peace. “We have seen enough destruction over the last three decades. Now, we hope for a sustained peace. Wars have destroyed many nations in the past,” he said.
Authorities on Monday allowed residents of six border villages in the Uri sector in Baramulla district to return to their homes after the successful disposal of unexploded shells following the recent cross-border shelling.
Seven UXOs were found and safely disposed of in six villages — Kamalkote, Madhan, Gowhallan, Salamabad (Bijhama), Gangerhill, and Gawalta in the Uri sector.
Though villagers returning home were met with damaged property, disrupted farming activity, and unease about the future, many expressed cautious optimism, calling for diplomatic efforts to ensure the ceasefire along the LoC holds firm.
“We have never seen anything like this before. Leaving our homes in the middle of the night was terrifying. But now that we are back, we just want peace to prevail so we can rebuild our lives,” said Shabnam Begum, a resident of Balakote village.
In Keran in Kupwara, Gurez in Bandipora, people had fled after facing intense shelling since Wednesday night.
“Residents are finally returning home. While a sense of calm prevails and people are relieved to have survived, there is a palpable sadness over the destruction of their homes and belongings,” said Fayaz Karnahi, a resident of Karnah.
The affected families appealed to the government to start the rehabilitation of the shelling-hit people and ensure their homes are rebuilt with government assistance.
“It was more than a catastrophe for us. We seek relief from the government so that we can rebuild our homes to live a peaceful life,” said Sajad Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Tangdar.