LoC residents renew demand for bunkers

Srinagar, Apr 21: Residents living along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir have renewed their demand for construction of bunkers, recalling the intense cross-border shelling that followed last year’s military escalation after the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor in May 2025 in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 tourists dead.
Following the initial strikes on May 7, tensions escalated sharply along the LoC, with heavy artillery and mortar shelling reported from multiple sectors.
The shelling, which continued until a ceasefire understanding was reached on May 10, was described by officials and reports as among the most intense in decades, drawing comparisons with the 1971 war. At least 13 to 16 civilians were killed, and dozens were injured in the cross-border firing, while a soldier also lost his life in unprovoked shelling in the Poonch sector.
Residents in Uri, Karnah, Tangdar and Gurez said that the escalation forced families to flee their homes, many in the dead of night, as shells landed in residential areas.
“It was very difficult. My family ran away at midnight. We did not know if we would survive,” a resident of Uri said.
Locals said several houses were damaged in the shelling and livelihoods were disrupted, with many families still struggling to rebuild. “Some compensation was given, but it is not enough. Many people are yet to recover fully,” a resident said.
People in Uri and Boniyar said bunkers remain a critical requirement for civilian safety, particularly in vulnerable villages close to the LoC.
“Everyone in the border areas needs bunkers. It is not for one family, it is for all,” a local said.
Residents in Karnah, Tangdar and Gurez echoed similar concerns, saying that while some bunkers have been constructed, large gaps remain. They urged the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to expedite bunker construction on a priority basis.
“Peace is what we want, but safety is equally important,” another resident said, Suhail Khan said. (KNO)