Sat to eat when sirens went off due to Pak shelling: J&K resident
The Uri sector in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district faced intense shelling by Pakistan on Thursday night, leaving one woman dead and several others injured. The residents of this region have long been accustomed to the sounds of shelling and sirens, but even they were taken aback by the severity of the attack. One resident, 38-year-old Babar, shared his harrowing experience with The Indian Express.
“We just sat down to eat when the siren rang out,” Babar said, still shaken by the events of that night. “We left everything and ran to the neighbors’ bunker.”
Babar’s home, like many others in the Uri sector, has been a victim of Pakistan’s shelling multiple times. In 1999, his house was destroyed during shelling, and later, in 2005, it was damaged in an earthquake. This latest attack has left his home severely damaged once again.
The shelling began around 9 pm on Thursday night, with Pakistani forces firing mortars and rockets into Indian territory. The Indian Army retaliated with equal intensity, but the damage was already done. One woman, who was identified as 45-year-old Sakeena Begum, was killed in the attack. Several others were injured, including women and children.
Babar’s family was among those who were forced to flee their homes and take shelter in a nearby bunker. “We were all eating dinner when the siren went off,” his wife, Saima, said. “We quickly grabbed some essentials and ran to the bunker. We were all crying and scared.”
The Uri sector has been a hotbed of tension for years, with Pakistan regularly violating the ceasefire agreement in place along the Line of Control (LoC). The region has seen numerous instances of shelling, mortar bombing, and cross-border firings, which have resulted in the death and injury of many civilians.
Despite the frequent attacks, the residents of Uri have learned to live with the threat of shelling. They have developed a system of early warning sirens and bunkers to provide them with some semblance of safety. However, even with these precautions in place, the trauma of living through such attacks is immense.
For Babar and his family, the latest attack has been a particularly harrowing experience. His wife, Saima, has been left with permanent hearing damage due to the intense shelling. Their children, aged 10 and 12, are still traumatized by the events of that night.
“We have lost our home twice now,” Babar said, his voice heavy with emotion. “We have lost our sense of security. We just want to live in peace and not have to worry about being attacked every day.”
The Uri sector is not the only area affected by Pakistan’s shelling. Other regions along the LoC, such as Poonch and Rajouri, have also seen similar attacks in recent months. The Indian government has repeatedly condemned these attacks and called upon Pakistan to respect the ceasefire agreement.
In the meantime, residents like Babar are left to pick up the pieces and try to rebuild their lives. They are also left to wonder when the shelling will stop and they can finally live in peace.
