The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday asked border villages residents, who were evacuated to safer places in view of cross border shelling by Pakistan, not to rush back to homes as they are yet to sanitise and clear these areas of any unexplored shells.read moreAuthorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday urged residents evacuated from villages near the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border not to return home yet, citing the danger posed by unexploded shells following intense Pakistani shelling.Over two lakh people were relocated to safer areas after heavy cross-border artillery and mortar fire from Pakistan began on May 7, targeting vulnerable habitations across both the Kashmir and Jammu divisions.“Do not return to frontline villages. Lives are at risk as unexplored munitions remain after Pakistani shelling,” read an advisory issued by the police in Kashmir Valley. Officials said bomb disposal squads will be deployed to sanitize affected areas and ensure they are cleared of any unexploded ordnance.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD“As many as 41 lives were lost in explosions of leftover shells near the LoC in 2023 alone,” the advisory read, highlighting the dangers of civilians rushing back to villages.More from India
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‘Rawalpindi felt it’: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauds India forces for Operation SindoorIn Jammu region, the police vehicles fitted with a public address system were seen making rounds in the worst-hit Poonch district and asking people not to touch any suspicious object lying at their residential houses, compounds or open fields.“People returning to their homes are advised to be cautious and immediately inform police or the nearest security camp about any suspicious object, which could be dangerous to human life,” the police said.The Poonch district accounted for the highest 20 of the total 27 fatalities with over 50 others injured since Wednesday, shortly after India carried out Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and PoK to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead.India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.However, hours later New Delhi accused Islamabad of breaching it.In a late night media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with ”seriousness and responsibility”.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADSenior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Poonch, Shafket Hussain, also visited Mankote village of Mendhar sub-division and urged the general public to remain vigilant and immediately report the presence of any unexploded live shells or suspicious objects to the nearest police or security camp.“Timely reporting can help prevent further loss of life and enable swift action by the Bomb Disposal Squad,” he said interacting with the local residents, who have returned to the border village.The SSP assured the public of enhanced safety and security measures in the border area.“Police remain committed to the safety and well-being of citizens and will continue its dedicated efforts to ensure peace and security in the region,” he said.Hussain also visited the family of Balvinder Kour, who lost her life due to cross-border shelling in the village and expressed condolences with her family.The SSP assured the bereaved family of all possible assistance from the police department and civil administration.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADReports from Rajouri and Akhnoor in Jammu districts also speak about police and other security agencies actively searching for unexploded shells besides asking people to remain cautious and not to come closer to suspicious objects for their own safety.With inputs from agenciesTagsIndia-Pakistan TensionEnd of Article
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J&K authorities urge residents not to return to border villages amid risk of unexploded shells
