Border areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir are experiencing a long-awaited period of calm and normalcy, thanks to the continued implementation of the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. The agreement, reaffirmed in 2021, has largely held through 2024–25, resulting in a significant decline in cross-border firing and bringing much-needed relief to thousands of families residing in forward regions.
Villages in districts such as Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara, and Baramulla—once frequent targets of shelling and gunfire—are now witnessing a renewed sense of peace. Children have returned to schools without fear, farmers are working their fields along the border undisturbed, and development projects are gradually gaining pace.
For many local residents who have endured years of conflict, displacement, and trauma, this period is being welcomed as a “new beginning.” Local administrations and community leaders are prioritizing the rebuilding of infrastructure, improving road connectivity, and addressing the psychological toll of the past through mental health support initiatives.
While security forces continue to maintain vigilance, their approach has visibly shifted from combat readiness to community outreach and support. Experts believe that the sustained peace in these sensitive areas is vital—not only for regional stability and humanitarian progress but also as a stepping stone toward broader trust-building and dialogue between the two nations.