Srinagar, May 12 -- In Jammu and Kashmir's Uri sector, where Pakistani shelling had forced mass evacuations, residents cautiously made their way back on Monday after bomb disposal squads cleared the areas of unexploded ordnance. "We are happy that a ceasefire has been reached between the two countries. We are also hopeful that Pakistan will not resort to such activities again," said Arshad Ahmad, a resident of Kamalkote.

Security officials confirmed that over 1.25 lakh residents from Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara districts had been evacuated over the past week as their homes came under direct fire from across the LoC.

More than 1.25 lakh residents of villages close to the LoC in Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts were evacua...