India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate Amid Growing Fear in Kashmir

As the military confrontation between India and Pakistan continues, residents of Kashmir and beyond are grappling with heightened fear and uncertainty.

The situation has become increasingly precarious in the India-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir, which has come under intense artillery fire from Pakistan in recent days, escalating worries among ordinary citizens. With the Indian military's Operation Sindoor launched in response to a recent terrorist attack, the conflict has rekindled memories of past wars and deepened anxiety about the potential for further violence.

In Poonch, located merely six miles from the line of control, the effects of the conflict are palpable. Retired school principal Narinder Singh reported that at least 13 individuals lost their lives since the operation began, becoming victims of the unprecedented shelling. He expressed shock over the scale and intensity of the bombardment, which he claimed to have never witnessed before, not even during the historical 1971 war. With the local market shuttered and only essential services remaining operational, the fear among residents of Poonch has intensified, leading many to take refuge in safer locations within their homes.

Despite the recent bombardment, some residents have adapted by learning how to protect themselves better. As shelling escalated yet again, Singh mentioned that while property damage was significant, no additional casualties occurred because people had started to heed warnings and seek safer shelter. This situation has left a shadow of uncertainty looming over daily life, as people are forced to balance the fear of violence with their need to continue with their lives in a region that remains heavily affected by the ongoing hostilities between India and Pakistan.