Sajid Raina
Poonch/Uri, May 7: At midnight, Pakistan’s shelling struck border villages in Poonch and Uri areas along the Line of Control (LoC), forcing hundreds of civilians to flee their homes in fear and uncertainty, leaving behind a devastating trail of death, destruction, and widespread damage.
Residents in multiple villages along the Line of Control (LoC) were evacuated early Wednesday after intense shelling overnight killed at least 10 civilians and injured more than 50.
The families from Poonch, Mendhar, Uri and parts of Rajouri left their homes in the dark as the mortar shells hit residential areas.
Notably, these are the first major civilian casualties along the Line of Control since February 2021, when India and Pakistan issued a joint statement through their Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) reaffirming adherence to the 2003 ceasefire agreement.
During last night’s cross-border shelling, the Poonch-Rajouri belt, one of the most affected border areas in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed the death of 12 people and injuries to at least 38 others. Locals said property worth crores was reduced to ashes.
Locals described the situation as war-like during the midnight shelling, with many unable to move to safer places due to the darkness. “We thought the entire Poonch-Rajouri area was destroyed due to the intensity of the cross-border shelling,” said Mohammad Sabir, a resident of Poonch.
“It felt like a full-scale war, the shelling was intense and all our property was damaged within hours, costing us lakhs,” said Mukesh, a resident of Rajouri. “Whenever there is tension between two nations, it’s always the border residents who bear the brunt.”
He said the government should consider the safety and well-being of people living along the Line of Control (LoC) before escalating to a full-scale war with Pakistan. Similarly, other locals recounted losing loved ones during Pakistan’s night shelling, which also destroyed their entire settlement.
Around 160 residents of Dhaki have been forced to relocate to their relatives’ homes after more than a dozen residential houses were severely damaged in the shelling.
The residents, fearing further destruction and insecurity, sought refuge with family members, as their homes were no longer safe.
Many families in Gurez have started migrating to safer places due to ongoing border tensions. They said that before falling prey to cross-border shelling, they would leave their homes and settlements in search of safety.
Abdul Ahad, a local resident, said that in the absence of bunkers and proper safety measures, thousands have been forced to flee their homes.
“We are the first victims of these ceasefire violations. The past four years in Gurez had been peaceful. Today, we left everything behind. The authorities must make arrangements for those who still remain in Gurez,” he said.
He added that most residents have already left the area. “Only those who have livestock have stayed behind. We appeal to the nation, if this is how we must live then kill us once and for all, so we don’t have to die a slow death every day.”
Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, another local, said people are abandoning their homes at the peak of the agricultural season. “We appeal to the authorities to provide shelters and ensure safety arrangements for those who remain in Gurez,” he said.
An official in Gurez stated that a detailed evacuation plan is in place for residents in vulnerable areas. While no villages have been relocated yet, the administration is prepared to act if necessary. He said that Gurez valley, close to the LoC, is vulnerable to shelling, with three villages particularly prone to direct impact.
The border town of Uri in north Kashmir also witnessed intense cross-border shelling, in which ten people were injured and several houses were damaged.
“We were asleep when the firing started,” said Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Uri. “We took shelter near a wall and stayed there for hours. No one moved. Everyone was waiting for it to stop, but it didn’t.”
“It’s us who always suffer on the borders. We have witnessed death and destruction for decades. There were only a few years of peace, but now that is all gone,” he added.
It was around 3 AM when the shelling began. We barely managed to run to a neighbour’s house. Minutes later, a shell hit our home and destroyed it completely,” said a resident, pointing at the remains of his house. “Our lives are safe by the grace of God. But what about our future? Where shall we go now?”
“Shells destroyed our house. Targeting civilians is unjustified, both Pakistan and our own government must ensure our safety,” added another resident of the worst-hit Salamabad village, which now presents a deserted look, with charred walls and broken beams of several homes.
The injured were initially rushed to a nearby primary health center and later referred to GMC Baramulla for specialized treatment. Locals believe more injuries went unreported due to chaos and fear of further attacks.
Similarly, the Tangdar and Karnah border areas of Kupwara witnessed widespread destruction after Pakistan initiated unprovoked shelling late at night, leaving many homes destroyed and other properties damaged.
The indiscriminate shelling, described by residents as “barbaric,” came as a shock after years of relative peace along the LoC since 2021.
“It was a hell-like situation last night,” said Sajad Ahmad Khan, a resident of Tangdhar. He added that people were desperately seeking shelter as the shelling rattled through the area throughout the night.
