Jammu, May 8: As cross-border shelling intensifies, residents of border villages in Poonch have been forced to leave their homes, seeking refuge in safer areas. The sudden displacement has left many grappling with loss, fear, and uncertainty.
The Indian Army recently launched strikes targeting Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Since then, heavy shelling from across the Line of Control (LoC) has rocked several areas in Poonch, causing extensive damage and panic among the civilian population.
“There was intense shelling on the nights of May 6 and 7 around 2 AM,” said Mohammad Shafi, a resident of Gali Pindi village, one of the worst-affected areas. “Several homes have been destroyed, lives lost, and many injured. We are lucky to have survived, but we have lost everything we built.”
Gali Pindi is a village in Surankote tehsil of the Poonch district which falls around 25 kilometres from tehsil headquarters.
Shafi, who has served as Sarpanch for 15 years, lamented the lack of permanent safety measures. “We have long demanded the construction of bunkers in Gali Pindi. Authorities promised one 5 km away but nothing for us. We need a proper, safe structure in our village,” he said.
Currently, displaced families from Gali Pindi have been relocated to a Polytechnic College in the Sagra area. Over 50 families, nearly 400 people are now living there. Local administration including the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, have visited the them, assuring food and basic supplies.
Rabia Manzoor, another resident, broke down while recalling the devastation. “We had a triple-storey house, built brick by brick by our parents. It’s completely gone. Everything inside was destroyed, furniture, belongings. Where will we live now?”
She appealed to the administration for support, saying, “We don’t even have a roof over our heads. Please help us. We are homeless.”
Residents expressed gratitude towards local authorities, especially the MLA of Poonch Haveli, for visiting and showing solidarity. “He is like family to us,” said Shafi Mohammad. “We thank the DC, SSP, Tehsildar, and SHO for opening the college for shelter and ensuring food supply.”
The administration has also assured the presence of health staff and teachers at the shelter to take care of basic needs and prevent disruption in children’s education.
However, fear still grips the border communities. “Shells don’t differentiate between mountains and homes,” said Shafi. “We only ask that innocent lives not be targeted.”
Meanwhile, the District Administration of Poonch has disbursed ex gratia relief of Rs 6 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for serious injuries, and Rs 20,000 for minor injuries, providing timely support to those affected by the recent incident.
