No ceasefire violations, peace returns to border villages

Calm has returned to the International Border and its villages in the twin districts of Jammu and Samba after days of panic triggered by heavy cross border firing and shelling.

The cross-border fire, which began on October 14, left two Border Security Force troopers dead and several others including BSF jawans and civilians wounded.

The firing had led to migration of scores of families from the villages near the border.

“There has been no firing for the past two days leading to lessening of tension. At least 30 villages near the border were affected by the firing. Around 100 villagers mostly women and children would leave their homes for night to take shelter in community halls to escape the firing which has now come down to around 20 to 25,” Divisional Commissioner Jammu Shantmanu told rediff.com.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has hoped that the clam on the border will prevail. Omar had visited the border areas to take an on the spot stock of the situation last week.

The two countries had agreed to a ceasefire on the International Border and Line of Control in November 2003. However, the ceasefire violations began early this year and intensified this month.