Jammu & Kashmir, May 12 -- Baramulla Police have confirmed the detection of 20 unexploded ordnances (UXOs) across 17 locations in various villages of the North Kashmir district, triggering a major safety alert. Seven of these dangerous explosives have already been safely neutralized in six villages, following which the district administration has allowed evacuees to return to their homes.

The villages cleared of the known UXOs include Kamalkote, Madhan, Gowhallan, Salamabad (Bijhama), Gangerhill, and Gawalta, officials said. However, police have warned that additional UXOs may still be present in these and other areas, posing serious threats to life and property.

"These devices are highly unstable and any attempt to touch, tamper with, ...