Residents Of 6 Villages In Uri Allowed To Return After Disposal Of Unexploded Shells

Srinagar, May 12: Authorities on Monday allowed residents of six border villages in the Uri sector in Baramulla district to return to their homes after the successful disposal of unexploded shells following the recent cross-border shelling.
Police said they had received reports about the presence of at least 20 unexploded ordnances (UXOs) scattered across 17 locations in the district.
Police said seven UXOs were found and safely disposed of in six villages — Kamalkote, Madhan, Gowhallan, Salamabad (Bijhama), Gangerhill, and Gawalta in the Uri sector.
Following the clearance operation, the district administration gave the green light for evacuees from these six villages to return home.
They said there still might be other UXOs in these villages that have not been reported to or come to notice of security forces.
“These UXOs pose a critical risk to life and property. For the safety and wellbeing of all citizens, all are hereby advised to observe the mandatory precautions,” police said.
It advised residents not to approach, touch, tamper with, or attempt to move any suspicious object resembling an explosive shell or device.
It also asked residents to immediately report any such object or suspicious item to the police or inform the nearest security forces personnel.
The advisory also asked to strictly avoid the vicinity of any area where such objects are observed or reported.
“Unauthorized access to such zones is prohibited for your safety,” police said, adding that UXOs are unstable and highly dangerous.
“Mishandling may lead to fatal consequences or irreversible injuries,” police said.
On Sunday as people of border areas started moving towards their homes after India-Pakistan ceasefire, the Jammu and Kashmir Police issued an advisory asking them not to return the villages as there are dangerous or unexploded ordnance due to the recent shelling.