Jammu – The situation across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir has returned to normalcy after cross-border shelling and attempted drone attacks from Pakistan had kept residents on high alert for several days.
Following the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan on May 10, conditions have steadily normalized, with reports of overnight drone attacks or cross-border firing gradually ceasing.
The districts of Akhnoor, Jammu, Samba, and Poonch are particularly relieved to see tensions subside, especially after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
Residents are now resuming their daily routines, with no incidents of cross-border activity reported in the past two days. However, drone sightings in Jammu, Samba, Akhnoor, and Kathua were reported during the night of May 12 and 13.
Meanwhile, residents of Samba expressed relief and appreciation for the Indian Army’s efforts in maintaining security.
Surendra Kumar, a local from Samba, told ANI, “All their (Pakistan’s) drones were neutralised by our forces. So, the situation seems good now. It is peaceful. It is good if this continues.”
Another resident, Rai Kumar, praised the Army’s role, saying, “What the Indian Army is doing is good… The Indian Army is zindabad. The Army has done a lot for us. We sleep at home, but they protect us at the border… I’m 50 years old, and we’ve seen Pakistan’s actions for a long time. They keep sending terrorists, killing our jawans and civilians. They won’t mend their ways… Something should be done…”
This period of calm follows a tense phase after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Pakistan’s retaliatory actions, including drone attacks and heavy shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border, were met with a robust response from the Indian Army, which neutralised Pakistani drones and reportedly damaged 11 airbases in Pakistan. This response has contributed to the current de-escalation. (ANI)
