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Safety Advisory for Border Village Residents

Srinagar/Jammu: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have advised residents of border villages, who were relocated due to cross-border shelling from Pakistan, to refrain from returning home until the areas are cleared of unexploded ordnance.

Over 200,000 individuals from villages near the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border were moved to safer locations following intense artillery and mortar fire that began on May 7, highlighting the risks posed to their communities in both Kashmir and Jammu regions.

An advisory from the Kashmir Valley police emphasized, "Do not return to frontline villages. Lives are at risk due to unexploded munitions scattered after the shelling from Pakistan."

Bomb disposal teams will be deployed to sanitize the affected areas and remove any unexploded shells, which pose a significant threat to human safety.

The advisory noted that 41 fatalities occurred in 2023 due to explosions from leftover shells near the LoC, underscoring the dangers of civilians returning prematurely.

In the Jammu region, police vehicles equipped with public address systems have been patrolling the most affected Poonch district, urging residents to avoid touching any suspicious objects found in their homes or fields.

"Those returning to their residences should exercise caution and report any suspicious items to the police or the nearest security camp immediately," the police warned.

Poonch district has recorded the highest number of casualties, with 20 of the total 27 deaths and over 50 injuries since the recent escalation, which followed India's Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that resulted in 26 deaths.

On Saturday, India and Pakistan reached an agreement to halt all military actions across land, air, and sea, effective immediately, after four days of intense cross-border strikes.

However, shortly thereafter, New Delhi accused Islamabad of violating this agreement.

In a late-night briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri urged Pakistan to take necessary measures to address these violations and handle the situation with "seriousness and responsibility."

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shafket Hussain visited Mankote village in the Mendhar sub-division, encouraging the public to remain vigilant and report any unexploded shells or suspicious items to the nearest police or security camp.

"Timely reporting can prevent further loss of life and facilitate prompt action by the Bomb Disposal Squad," he stated while engaging with local residents who had returned to the border area.

The SSP reassured the community of increased safety measures in the border region.

"The police are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens and will continue their efforts to maintain peace and security in the area," he affirmed.

Hussain also extended condolences to the family of Balvinder Kour, who lost her life due to cross-border shelling, promising them support from the police and civil administration.

Reports from Rajouri and Akhnoor in Jammu districts indicate that police and security agencies are actively searching for unexploded shells and advising residents to stay away from any suspicious objects for their own safety.