Uri, located close to the LoC, has been the worst-hit area in the Valley in shelling, which has left one woman killed and 14 others injured. Over 100 houses and structures were completely damaged in different villages over the last five days.Wazir said the majority of residents of his village have fled to safer places following the relentless shelling by Pakistani troops.“Now with the annnouncement of ceasefire, they will return to the village, bringing back its vibrancy,” he said. “War is never an option. Both countries should resolve issues once and for all through talks,” he said.Javed Aziz, a 25-year-old resident of Lagama village, said he has never seen such intense shelling by the Pakistani troops in his lifetime. “My family elders say such shelling had taken place in 1971,” he said.The Uri market wore a deserted look with closed shops and little movement. In the town with a population of over 10,000, most of the houses are now empty. “I’ve stayed back along with my wife, but our children have moved to their relative’s house,” Local resident Abdul Qayoom Ganai said.Asked why he had not fled, Abdul said, “My aged mother is on oxygen concentrator. My wife and I have stayed back to take care of her,” he said.He hoped that both the Indian and Pakistani military will respect the ceasefire and peace will return to the border villages.
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