Unease lingers in Kashmir despite ceasefire between India and Pakistan

Joy over an India-Pakistan ceasefire was short-lived in Kashmir.

Tens of thousands fled the Indian-controlled part of the disputed region last week amid heavy shelling and drone attacks by Pakistan. Yet despite a ceasefire announced Saturday, only a handful of families returned to their homes Sunday.

“We will go back only after complete calm prevails,” said Basharat Ahmed, who lives in Poonch district. “It doesn’t take much time for the two countries to start fighting on the border.”

The ceasefire was intended to halt the hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbors and defuse their worst military confrontation for decades. But just hours later, each side accused the other of violating the deal.

Indian officials said Pakistani shelling since Wednesday had killed at least 23 people and injured scores more. The shelling also damaged or destroyed hundreds of residential buildings.

Read more: AP