Srinagar, Apr 21(KNO): A year after the military escalation following Operation Sindoor, residents along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir on Wednesday said that a fragile calm has returned, allowing life to gradually return to normal in border villages.
The LoC, which witnessed intense cross-border shelling in May last year after the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Indian strikes, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) has remained largely peaceful in recent months, with no major incidents reported from key sectors.
Residents in Uri, Karnah, Tangdhar and Gurez said the absence of shelling has brought relief, even as memories of last year’s shelling remain fresh.
“For now, there is peace and we are thankful. Children are going to schools and people are working in their fields,” said a resident of Uri. “But the fear of escalation is always there.”
Pertinently, ‘Operation Sindoor’ was launched on the night of May 7–8, 2025, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The escalation that followed saw heavy artillery and mortar shelling along multiple LoC sectors until a ceasefire understanding was reached between India and Pakistan on May 10.
The shelling had forced several families to flee their homes, with residential areas hit and livelihoods disrupted. While the situation has stabilised since then, locals said the impact of the conflict continues to shape daily life.
“There is peace now, but we cannot forget what happened. Whenever there is any news about tensions, people become anxious,” a resident of Karnah said.
In Tangdhar and Gurez, villagers said agricultural activities have resumed fully this season, with many returning to orchards and farmlands that were abandoned during the shelling.
“This year, we are focusing on our crops again. Last year, everything stopped. Now at least we have some stability,” a farmer in Tangdhar said.
However, residents said peace alone is not enough, stressing the need for long-term safety measures in vulnerable areas close to the LoC.
“Peace is important, but preparedness is also important. We still need bunkers and better facilities,” a local from Gurez said.
Officials said the situation along the LoC remains under close watch, with security forces maintaining vigilance while ensuring minimal disruption to civilian life.
Locals said they hope the current calm holds, allowing them to rebuild their lives after last year’s turmoil.
“We just want this peace to continue. People here have suffered a lot,” a resident of Boniyar said—(KNO)