Sun May 11 02:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Ceasefire Brings Cautious Relief as Evacuees Return to Delhi
**NEW DELHI** – A wave of relief washed over New Delhi’s railway station late Friday night as special trains carrying evacuees from Jammu arrived. Students, tourists, and army families, who had fled escalating border tensions and missile strikes, disembarked, carrying their belongings and hopes of returning home. The arrival followed a Saturday evening announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
While many are now making plans to return to their homes and universities, a sense of cautious optimism prevails. Afsana Sheikh, a 20-year-old masters student, expressed her relief at reaching her family but admitted to lingering fear, stating, “There’s only an announcement about a ceasefire. We will wait to see what our college says.” Her sentiments were echoed by other evacuees who described the previous days as chaotic and terrifying, filled with drone sightings, missile alerts, and sleepless nights.
The exodus prompted the Union railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, to announce additional trains to handle the surge of evacuees. Northern Railways confirmed the deployment of extra trains from Jammu Tawi to Delhi.
While many students are coordinating their return journeys, others, like army families, expressed gratitude for their escape but worry for those remaining in affected areas. Neetu Yadav, whose husband serves in the Indian Army, expressed hope that the ceasefire would hold, while Urmila Devi, another army wife, highlighted the targeting of civilians during the conflict.
Although the immediate crisis has eased, the mood remains one of cautious hope. The ceasefire offers a fragile peace, leaving many awaiting confirmation of its lasting stability before fully resuming their normal lives.
First Piper 