I Feel I’m Alive Again: J&K Resident After Ceasefire Announcement
The announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan has brought a glimmer of hope to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly those living in the border districts like Poonch. For years, the constant shelling and firing along the Line of Control (LoC) had taken a toll on the lives of people, leaving them with deep emotional scars. The news of a ceasefire has brought a sense of relief and joy to the people, and no one is more ecstatic than Khalil Ahmad Bandey, a 70-year-old retired forest official from Poonch.
“I feel I am alive again,” Bandey exclaimed, his eyes shining with tears of joy. “You can’t imagine; we people had vowed so many niyaz (an offering of food or other gifts to fulfil a vow) to have a ceasefire between the two countries. Today, we have been blessed with this opportunity, and it’s like a second lease of life.”
Bandey’s words reflect the sentiment of many residents of Poonch, who have been living in fear and uncertainty for years. The district has been one of the worst-affected areas, with frequent shelling and firing by Pakistani forces leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life.
The ceasefire announcement has come as a huge relief to the people of Poonch, who have been struggling to rebuild their lives after the devastating floods in 2014 and the subsequent shelling by Pakistani forces. The district has seen a significant influx of refugees, who were forced to leave their homes due to the violence and insecurity.
For Bandey, the ceasefire announcement is not just a welcome relief but also a chance to reconnect with his roots. He has been living in Poonch for most of his life, and the shelling and firing had made it difficult for him to even venture out of his house.
“I used to love taking walks along the river Chenab, which flows through Poonch,” Bandey recalled. “But for the past few years, I have been confined to my house, afraid to venture out due to the constant shelling. Today, I feel like I have been given a new lease of life. I can once again take those walks, enjoy the beauty of nature, and connect with my community.”
Bandey’s story is not unique. Many residents of Poonch have been living in fear and uncertainty for years, and the ceasefire announcement has brought a sense of hope and relief to their lives. The news has also given them a chance to rebuild their lives and restart their businesses, which had been affected by the violence and insecurity.
The ceasefire announcement has also brought a sense of peace and tranquility to the district, which had been a rare commodity for years. The residents of Poonch are now hoping that the ceasefire will lead to a permanent solution to the border dispute and an end to the violence and bloodshed that has plagued the region for decades.
The news of the ceasefire has also sent a positive message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have been living in the shadow of violence and terrorism for years. The announcement has given them a sense of hope and optimism, and many are hoping that it will lead to a brighter future for the region.
In conclusion, the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan has brought a sense of relief and joy to the residents of Poonch, particularly Khalil Ahmad Bandey, who feels “alive again.” The news has given them a chance to rebuild their lives, reconnect with their roots, and restart their businesses. It has also sent a positive message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who are hoping that it will lead to a permanent solution to the border dispute and an end to the violence and bloodshed that has plagued the region for decades.
