Peace descended across Jammu and Kashmir and other areas along the Line of Control and International Border following the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan on Saturday evening. It marked the first calm in 19 days — no incidents of shelling and firing were reported.
According to reports, normalcy has begun to return in Poonch’s Surankot, a border area that had turned into a ghost town recently after it bore the brunt of intense shelling and violations. This comes after no ceasefire violations were reported last night across border areas after the ceasefire agreement.
Just two days ago, Surankot witnessed heavy shelling, causing panic among residents. Following the attack, residents fled the town, some took shelter in nearby hill villages and in bunkers, while others moved to safer parts of Jammu. With the situation now improving, people are hoping to return to their homes in Poonch soon.
Many visuals from Srinagar, Pathankot, Rajouri, Akhnoor, Jammu, Kulgam, Sri Ganganagar and Budgam have surfaced online that show the situation is normal.
Normalcy has returned not just to the border areas but also to other cities, including Chandigarh, where all restrictions were officially withdrawn on Sunday.
However, on Saturday, hours after the ceasefire agreement, Pakistan launched a series of missile and drone attacks across the LoC and the International Border in multiple sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee has demanded “immediate and decisive” government intervention to secure the release of Poornam Shaw, a BSF jawan from West Bengal who reportedly has been in Pakistan’s custody for the past three weeks.
“Since a ceasefire is currently in place between India and Pakistan, immediate steps must be taken to secure the release of the individual who has been detained by the Pakistan Army for nearly twenty days… At this point, I am not interested in hearing about intentions or plans—I demand immediate action. The individual (Poornam Shaw) must be released from detention without delay,” the MP was quoted as saying.
Singh’s wife Rajani is hopeful of her husband’s return following the announcement of ceasefire on the border. “I am extremely thankful to our Chief Minister. The CM said she had talks with top BSF officials and they have confirmed to her that my husband is in good health. This assurance coming from her is a great relief,” Rajani, who is expecting her second child, said.
