India-Pakistan peace agreement brings sigh of relief to people in J&K

Srinagar, May 10: Following the uninterrupted tension, anxiety, and bloodshed after the fatal terror strike in Pahalgam, the news of peace agreement has now brought relief to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir—particularly those residing along the Line of Control (LoC).

The deal, negotiated through diplomatic sources and made public at the same time in New Delhi and Islamabad, seeks to revive the 2021 ceasefire understanding, which had more or less collapsed in the last few days following a series of ceasefire breaches and cross-border firings.

For people living in border districts such as Kupwara, Poonch, and Rajouri, the development has been a glimmer of hope in the midst of large-scale destruction.

“It is as if we have been awakened from a nightmare," said Ghulam Nabi, a 58-year-old Tangdhar resident in Kupwara district. "We watched our houses collapse, and heard our children weep in fear. This peace agreement is like oxygen for us."

Civilian Casualties and Displacement

The violence started after the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 tourists were killed. In retaliation and follow-up exchanges, heavy shelling on both sides along the LoC resulted in the killing of at least 25 civilians, including women and children, and injuring dozens of others. Most residential homes were destroyed.

“We had no choice but to leave everything behind and take shelter in a government school in Kupwara town,” said Shamima Bano, a mother of four from the border hamlet of Keran. “Our house was damaged in the shelling, and my children still flinch at loud sounds. The peace agreement gives us a chance to go back and rebuild.”

According to government estimates, more than 3,000 persons were briefly shifted and kept in relief camps arranged by the authorities. Governments also closed down colleges and schools in risk areas as a precaution. The effect of the combat could be felt in the chill silence that prevailed over towns around the LoC. Shops remained closed, streets were empty, and essential facilities were impaired.

The peace deal follows relentless pressure from global sources and backchannel negotiations mediated by interlocutors. Both sides committed to sustain the ceasefire, exercise restraint, and open direct channels of communication between military commanders to prevent misunderstandings. "This agreement is a triumph of sanity," said a University professor. "It attests to the maturity of both countries in preserving civilian lives over political rhetoric."

Although people are cautiously optimistic, the prevailing mood is one of relief and gratitude. "Now anything can’t happen anytime," said Abdul Rasheed, a trader in Uri. "But till then, the silence along the border is valuable. We pray it continues."

Schools in Kashmir are scheduled to open on Tuesday as Monday is a public holiday. The displaced families will be returning home gradually. The J&K government has assured compensation and reconstruction support for the damaged houses. As life creeps back towards normalcy, particularly those along the contentious LoC, wish this latest agreement is not merely a halt—but a step toward enduring peace.