Internally displaced persons (IDPs) from vulnerable areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in AJK find themselves caught in a dilemma — torn between the longing to return home and lingering doubts about the durability of the ceasefire.

Syed Mureed Hussain, aged 56, from Sandok village, said: “My heart wants to go back, but the children are terrified. The sound of artillery still echoes in their minds.”

He said he planned to stay with relatives on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad for another day or two.

Based on the findings of the Rapid Needs Assessment carried out by Islamic Relief Pakistan (IRF), immediate and comprehensive intervention is required to address the multifaceted needs of the affected people.

Assessment results show 58pc of the population lacks access to clean water, hygiene and dignity kits, primarily due to damaged infrastructure and widespread displacement across AJ&K.

Many water sources at the community level have been destroyed by heavy mortar fire and shelling, further compounding the crisis. Sanitation conditions have also deteriorated considerably, particularly in displacement settings.

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