Uri, (Baramulla) Feb 25: Inhabitants living along Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday have welcomed the statement of India and Pakistan armies into ‘strict observance’ of 2003 Ceasefire agreement along borders in Jammu and Kashmir.

A group of locals while welcoming the ‘renewed pact’, expressed hope that the statement made by the two armies will be followed in letter and spirit. “We expect that by virtue of the renewed pact between the two armies, no more innocent lives will be lost on the borders”, they said.

Sarpanch Charunda village Lal Din Khatana seconded the villagers and said that the ‘news’ was indeed heartening for each and everyone living along the borderline.

“This news is like a new life to the people living on LoC”, he said adding that “Our village has been badly effected by the shelling as 19 people have lost their lives besides 38 others receiving critical injuries leaving many of them handicapped.”

Ghulam Rasool Dar, a resident of Hathlanga – village on the zero line of Hajipeer sector of Uri – said that they have been living under threat for the last many years. “No development has taken place in the area due to frequent exchange of fire in the area”, he said adding that “One does hope that the things will improve now onwards.”

Sajad Ahmad, a resident of Kamalkote said that people have suffered heavy casualties and financial loss due to unabated shelling along the border. “The education system has fallen prey to this fiasco for a long now as children are unable to attend the schools”, he said.

Pertinent to mention here that in a first joint statement issued by the two sides in years, India and Pakistan on Thursday said they have agreed to a “strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control (LoC) and all other sectors” with effect from the midnight of February 24/25 (Wednesday). gns