Srinagar, Nov 27: For the first time in the last 15 years, villagers living near the line of control in north Kashmir celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr without fear of Pakistani shells and gunfire following the ceasefire between the two neighbours. The villages in the border sectors of Uri, Gurez, Teetwal in Baramulla district and Keran, Karnah, Tangdar, Machil and Nowgam in Kupwara district witnessed Eid festivities in a big way yesterday as locals ventured out without fear of being caught in the cross-border shelling which was routine since the eruption of militancy in the state.
The announcement of the ceasefire on the eve of Eid brightened the festivities this year. People offered special prayers in large numbers and celebrated the festival with great pomp for the first time since the hostilities between the two neighbouring countries began.
The jubilant people described the ceasefire on the Eid day as "a gift".
"It is a pleasant gift by the two governments to the inhabitants of the border villages," Hussain Din, a school teacher of Kamalkote village, said.
Hoping that the ceasefire would last long and the two nations would emerge as "friends", Din said "for the first time we have seen bulbs lighting our homes after dusk. Otherwise we have to put off our lights and take shelter in the safety bunkers to save our skin from the incoming shells”.
"We see the ceasefire as a new beginning in the relations between India and Pakistan," he said. Bureau Report