India, May 12 -- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged residents who fled their homes during the recent Pakistani shelling to return, stating that a ceasefire understanding is now in place between the two nations. Calling the situation in the Poonch district "war-like," Abdullah said 80 to 90 percent of the town had been evacuated amid the intense cross-border bombardment, but conditions had now stabilized.

Speaking to reporters after visiting affected areas in Poonch and Surankote, accompanied by cabinet colleague Javed Rana, Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, and MLA Aijaz Jan, Abdullah underscored the need to construct permanent bunkers to safeguard civilians in future escalations. His sons, Zamir and Zahir, were also presen...