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 a terrifying night on Thursday, as Pakistan unleashed a barrage of shelling, killing one woman and injuring several others. The residents of the area, who were in the midst of their evening meal, were caught off guard by the sudden and intense shelling. For 38-year-old Babar, it was a night that would be etched in his memory forever.
“We just sat down to eat when the siren rang out,” Babar said, still shaken by the events of the previous night. “We left everything and ran to the neighbours’ bunker.”
Babar’s house, located in the Uri sector, had been destroyed twice before – once in 1999 due to shelling, and later in 2005 due to an earthquake. But nothing could have prepared him for the intensity of the shelling on Thursday night.
According to reports, the shelling began around 9 pm, with Pakistani forces targeting various areas of the Uri sector. The Indian Army responded with equal ferocity, shelling Pakistani positions in retaliation. The exchange of fire continued for several hours, causing widespread destruction and chaos in the area.
For Babar and his family, the shelling was a terrifying and disorienting experience. “We were in the middle of our dinner when the siren went off,” he said. “We didn’t know what was happening, but we knew we had to get out of there as quickly as possible.”
The family quickly grabbed their essentials and made a dash for the neighbours’ bunker, which was located nearby. The bunker was cramped and uncomfortable, but it offered a sense of safety and protection from the shelling.
As the night wore on, the shelling showed no signs of letting up. Babar and his family huddled together in the bunker, listening to the sound of explosions and gunfire. It was a night that was filled with fear and uncertainty, as they wondered if they would make it through the ordeal alive.
Despite the chaos and destruction, Babar and his family were fortunate to have made it through the night unscathed. However, not everyone was so lucky. A 35-year-old woman was killed in the shelling, and several others were injured.
The incident is just the latest in a long series of border skirmishes between India and Pakistan. The two countries have been locked in a bitter standoff since the Pulwama attack in February, which killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.
In the past few weeks, there have been several instances of cross-border shelling and gunfire, resulting in the deaths of several civilians and soldiers on both sides. The situation remains volatile, with both countries accusing each other of violating the ceasefire agreement.
For Babar and his family, the shelling on Thursday night was a stark reminder of the dangers and uncertainties of living in a border region. Despite the challenges, they are determined to carry on with their lives and rebuild their community.
“We will not be deterred by the shelling,” Babar said. “We will continue to live our lives and work towards building a better future for ourselves and our families.”
As the situation in the Uri sector continues to unfold, one thing is clear – the people of Jammu and Kashmir are resilient and determined to overcome the challenges they face. Despite the threats and uncertainties of living in a conflict zone, they will continue to hold on to hope and work towards a brighter future.
