India-Pakistan Ceasefire Fails to Ease Border Evacuations, Nearly 70 Dead

Amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions following a deadly terrorist attack and subsequent fighting, hundreds of residents and students have been evacuated from border areas to safer locations, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and temporary homes near Jammu. Despite a ceasefire agreement brokered under U.S. pressure after the worst fighting in nearly three decades, including missile and drone attacks that killed nearly 70 people, explosions continued shortly after the truce, causing skepticism among villagers about returning home. Authorities on both sides have warned evacuees against returning to frontline villages due to the risk posed by unexploded munitions and ongoing security concerns. Many shops remained closed and residents stayed indoors in affected border cities such as Jammu and Amritsar, reflecting the pervasive fear and uncertainty. Evacuees have received support including food, shelter, medical aid, and transportation from state institutions, but many remain hesitant to return, fearing for their safety amid the volatile situation. The situation underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire and continuing humanitarian challenges along the India-Pakistan border.