Mendhar (Poonch), May 8
Almost four years after guns fell silent along the Line of Control (LoC) due to ceasefire between India and Pakistan, people in the border township of Mendhar, who suffered most due to hostility between the two countries, are heaving a sigh of relief.

Before 2003, residents of this township (just a few kms from Kotli district of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) lived in constant fear of getting killed due to heavy shelling from across the border.

Residents say a number of locals lost their lives due to shelling before the ceasefire and there was a huge loss to property as well.

They say hundreds of animals also died due to shelling in Mendhar and its adjoining areas, including Balakote, Mankote Sagra and Gaulad.

However, with guns falling silent along the LoC, fear of people has lessened though not vanished for the reason that they feel that guns will fall silent permanently only when the two countries become friends.

Residents said people used to rush home after 5 pm during those days, but the ceasefire ensuring no cross fire along the LoC, the markets now remain crowded till late in the evening.

"Four years ago, there was constant fear in the minds of people here that they will get killed in heavy shelling. But after ceasefire between the two countries, the guns have fallen silent and there is peace along the border", said Muhammad Sajid of Gaulad, where shells from across the border were a regular affair.

"We pray for friendship between India and Pakistan, because that only can ensure permanent peace along the borders".

Months before the two countries announced ceasefire along the border, Rafiq Khan, a numberdar of adjoining Balakote village, died after a shell hit him.

Though the villagers of Balakote still recollect the shocking incident, yet they hope that such incidents don't repeat and permanent peace will prevail along the border.

"Though Rafiq lost his life during the shelling, but we hope that such incidents won't happen again. The hostility between the two countries has added to the sufferings of people and who better than people living along the borders know that war leads only to devastation and bloodshed on either side", said Muhammad Rasheed, of Balakote.

"We are hoping that this time around ceasefire will be a permanent one and there will be no use of weaponry again".

Srinagar, May 8
Observing peace was returning to Kashmir slowly and steadily the Art of Living chief Ravi Shankar here today stressed the need for all SAARC countries to be closer for more peace in the region.

He held Kashmir was more peaceful now compared to a couple of years earlier and urged to focus on education as the valley had been the centre of education for generations.

Ravi Shankar was addressing select audience from cross-section of society at SKICC here this evening.

The interaction continued for two hours.The founder of the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for Human Values was accompanied by vice-chancellor of the University of Kashmir professor Abdul Wahid and chairman of the state Public Service Commission Mohammad Shafi Pandit.

Over 400 persons, including students and those representing cross section of society, participated in the dialogue with the visiting humanitarian.

He said Kashmir, the land of Sufis and saints, had been a centre of education for centuries, and one could not afford to forget that culture.

He lamented human values were degenerating in the world and mistrust developing among the youngsters. It needed to be addressed.

Stating 27 per cent of people in the European countries suffered from depression, 40 per cent of teachers also faced the same problem .It was not a good sign.

The world looked towards India for salvation and therefore, "solution lies in traditions", he added. He stressed the need for helping young minds to become healthy and dynamic. "We can do it by turning back to our organic culture" he commented.

On arrival here today Ravi Shankar visited Sharika Devi temple, shrine of Makhdoom Sahib and gurdwara Chhatti Padshahi in the Hari Parbat area and child-care project of the International Association of Human Values at Shivpora.

He will also meet leaders and opinion makers before his departure from here tomorrow. This is his third visit to Jammu and Kashmir in the past few years.

Baramulla, May 8
One soldier was killed and four others were wounded in a fierce encounter near the Line of Control (LoC) in the frontier district of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir.

Security forces guarding the LoC noticed some movement at Kamkadi Haihama near the border.

When challenged, the militants opened fire injuring five soldiers. The injured were hospitalised, where one of them later succumbed to his injuries.

Reinforcement was rushed to the area from nearby camps and the entire 10-km-long forest area has been cordoned off. A massive hunt has been launched to eliminate the militants hiding in the woods. — UNI

She told The Tribune that deaths due to pregnancy related problem was a routine affair in the area.