Days after ceasefire violations by Pakistan left three people dead and 17 others injured in R S Pura sector of Jammu district, an eerie silence prevailed in the border villages as normal life came to a grinding halt with locals fearing another attack.
"Even though the firing has stopped, people are reluctant to come out of their houses to do their daily chores as they are afraid that Pakistan might once against start targeting the civilian population," said Bodh Raj, a resident of Abdullian village which is stone throw away from Pakistan.
"The day-to-day activities in these villages have come to a halt," he added.
Three civilians, including two women, were killed and 17 injured as Pakistani troops pounded border areas of Jammu with heavy shelling and firing on August 28.
The BSF had retaliated strongly to the Pakistani firing and shelling in R S Pura and Arnia sectors along the International Border (IB) in Jammu district.
While residents of these villages who had moved to safer places are reluctant to return fearing that the tension along the border might flare up again, those who did not leave are afraid to venture out of their "safe zones".
"See, people residing in border areas are unsure of their future. Most people decided to stay back, but now they are afraid to come out as they fear that they might fall victim to the bullets or bombs from across the border," said Prem Kumar, another resident.
The early morning attack on August 28 with mortar shells and automatic weapons had turned several border hamlets in Jammu into a war zone, triggering a wave of fear among locals.
"Some are busy mourning their dead while others are looking after their injured," said Shambu Nath, a local.
