Srinagar, Feb 17 –The 2021 ceasefire between India and Pakistan is eroding across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, with back-to-back exchanges of fire being reported in several areas. As sporadic firing intensifies, residents from regions like Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor have expressed growing fear, saying their sense of security, built over the past four years, is rapidly fading.
“A fresh exchange of fire occurred in Poonch’s Pir Panchal Valley on Sunday, though no casualties were reported,” an official confirmed.
Yet, for locals like Mohammad Suleiman of Rajouri, the repercussions of the conflict are deeply personal.
“We lived without the fear of mortar fire for four years, but now with these tensions, we fear being caught in the crossfire again,” he said.
In Poonch, Kashim Khan, a local farmer said: "If hostilities resume, we’ll be forced to flee, and our children's education will suffer. Business had flourished as people felt safe moving around. The thought of returning to those dark days is distressing.”
The unease is palpable across the region, with Mushtaq Ahmad from Karnah stating: "We lived in peace for four years, but now uncertainty looms again. It’s a grim reminder of the reality we faced before."
The new flare-up follows a series of military incidents, including sniper fire in the Akhnoor sector on Feb 14 that injured an Indian trooper, and an IED explosion that killed two military personnel in the same region on Feb 11.
On Feb 8, Indian troops retaliated to militant fire in Rajouri, and a suspected infiltration attempt was thwarted on Feb 5, leaving several militants believed to have been killed by a landmine.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary mentioned the long-standing suffering caused by cross-border firing on Monday, stating, "It is unfortunate that we have been witnessing it since 1947. It has ruined lives whenever it erupts. Hopefully, we will get rid of it."
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said:"The Indian Army is effectively responding to the situation."
His comments came following reports of Pakistani troops targeting Indian posts, which were met with a strong retaliatory response.
(KNO Inputs)