Destruction to Property Leaves Border Residents Trapped Amid Rising Indo-Pak Tensions
Suhail Khan/Muneeb ul Haq
Uri, May 09 : A woman lost her life, and four others were wounded in Pakistan’s Targeted Bombardment in the border villages of Kashmir.
From Ground Zero.
The cross-border firing caused significant damage to residential properties in the border areas across Jammu and Kashmir, besides adding in the fear to the people not only of border residents but overall in the union territory.
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In last night’s Pakistan’s Targeted attack on the civilian population in the border villages of Uri, Tangdar a woman identified as Nargis Bashir, was traveling with family members to escape the shelling in Razarwani village of Uri town when their vehicle was struck by a projectile near Mohurra. She died instantly, while three relatives sustained injuries and were taken to Baramulla’s Government Medical College.
Another civilian was hurt in Thajal village due to the ongoing bombardment.
The Pakistani shells reportedly reached several areas, including Mohura, Gingal, and Rampur, with at least 10 homes damaged in Gingal alone.
Locals while narrating to The Web Story/The Varmul Post described the intensity of the overnight shelling—lasting from 11 pm Thursday until 4 am Friday—as unprecedented in recent memory.
“Those who are homeless can truly understand the problem. Those who have lost their homes can exactly tell what the pain is. We never wanted war; in the middle of it all, we Kashmiris especially border residents are being victimized,” narrated Sidiq Hassan, an elderly man, while speaking to The Web Story/The Varmul Post.
He stated, “It is not just shelling; it is targeted bombing. For days, we have been sleepless and unable to eat. Our children are the hardest hit.”
Similar attacks were reported in Kupwara’s Tangdhar sector, where shells landed near Sadhna Pass and villages like Manzgam, Kralpora, Chowkibal, and Dollipora—some less than 10 km from Kupwara town.
Intense shelling from across the Line of Control (LoC) over the past three days has left a trail of destruction across several villages in the Karnah border area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district too.
Local sources informed The Web Story/The Varmul Post that 15 houses were completely destroyed, while more than 50 houses suffered partial damage. Many shops were also reduced to rubble.
The shelling further resulted in the burning of six vehicles, adding to the devastation faced by local residents. Numerous walnut trees were damaged, impacting local livelihoods significantly. One person sustained injuries, though fortunately, no casualties have been reported reports added.
Meanwhile, Amidst the heavy shelling, nearly 200 families were evacuated to safer locations in Kupwara and Srinagar to ensure their safety. Temporary shelters have been established, and relief measures are actively being provided to the displaced families reports further added.
Authorities noted that Indian troops retaliated with proportional force.
Meanwhile, over 60,000 residents from border areas have evacuated, with many seeking refuge in government shelters or with relatives.
As tensions flared, the Jammu and Kashmir administration ordered a temporary blackout across the valley following missile and drone strikes in Jammu city. Power was later restored in Srinagar late Thursday and elsewhere by Friday morning.
In response to the escalating situation, the government announced a two-day closure of schools across the union territory. A decision on further extensions will depend on the security assessment early next week.
Minister of Education, Sakina Itoo in a post on X said, “Keeping in view the safety of students, all the private and government schools, colleges and universities shall remain closed on Friday and Saturday.”
Registrar of KU also said, “We have decided to suspend the classwork for Friday. If there are any other changes, we will notify the students accordingly.”
Pertinently, Fifteen civilians have been killed, and 59 others injured, as Pakistani troops engaged in cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) for 14 consecutive days. The attacks escalated to heavy artillery fire and mortar shelling on forward villages in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, and Akhnoor, officials reported.
An Indian Army soldier was also killed in the firing on Thursday.
In Poonch, 13 civilians lost their lives, and 44 others were wounded in ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the External Affairs Ministry confirmed.
