Life in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir is slowly finding its footing again following the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan on May 10. While a sense of caution and underlying fear persists, the familiar rhythm of daily life is beginning to re-emerge as locals cautiously reopen their shops and attempt to resume their routines.
Having endured significant hardship due to intense cross-border shelling, the residents of Rajouri are tentatively stepping back into everyday life.
Neeras Sin, a local hotel worker, shared his experience with ANI, stating, “When the shelling began, we immediately closed our shops and sought shelter at home. Even now, we exercise caution by closing our establishments by 4 or 5 pm and returning early in the morning. Previously, we would open around noon, and customers would frequent our businesses regularly. However, the number of customers remains significantly low.”
He further noted that despite some renewed activity in the market, a palpable sense of fear continues to permeate the atmosphere. “Schools and madrasas remain closed. Children have been sent home from the madrasas. The market has not yet returned to its normal state,” he explained.
Khalilur Rahman, another resident, acknowledged the relief brought by the cessation of hostilities but emphasized the lingering uncertainty. “Shops have reopened, and people are purchasing essential goods, but a sense of fear still prevails. There is a hope that if the peaceful atmosphere continues, complete normalcy will eventually return.”
He also highlighted the significant financial strain faced by many. “Middle-class families who rely on daily earnings are struggling immensely. For such individuals, this kind of instability poses a severe challenge. During periods of shelling, everything comes to a standstill. For those who earn during the day to feed themselves at night, survival becomes incredibly difficult,” he added.
An 85-year-old resident from the border region of Rajouri offered a poignant plea for peace. “I have lived through the wars of 1947, 1965, and 1971, but I have never witnessed such terrifying shelling in my entire life. Our only desire is to live without fear. People have started reopening their shops, but fear still lingers in our hearts. Labourers have left, work has been halted, and children are unable to attend school. Only peace can restore normalcy here,” he expressed emotionally.
Meanwhile, construction activities remain suspended across the district. Ravid Ahmed, an employee of a company involved in road and bridge construction, informed ANI, “When the shelling started, the workers left. Labourers from outside the region, including those from Bihar, have not yet returned. Work on the canal bridge remains suspended.”
He further explained that despite only a few shells landing in their specific area, the widespread fear prompted many workers to leave. “I had also gone home. I have since returned, but the labourers have not. Until they come back, work cannot resume.”
It’s important to recall the events leading up to this fragile return to normalcy. Operation Sindoor was India’s decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Launched on May 7, this operation resulted in the neutralization of over 100 terrorists associated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Following this, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir, as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions. India responded with a coordinated attack, inflicting damage on radar infrastructure, communication centers, and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan. Subsequently, on May 10, an understanding for the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced, paving the way for this gradual return to normalcy in regions like Rajouri.
