Srinagar, Feb 28: Amid escalating situation between India and Pakistan, fear has gripped at least 35 villages along the line of control in north Kashmir’s Uri area.
Tensions have been brewing between the neighbouring countries for the last few days with both sending warplanes in each other’s territory.
“On Wednesday morning, we were sleeping when we heard noises of jet aircraft. We were petrified thinking the war has begun. We thought bombs may be dropped and we have to vacate the village,” said Javeed Ahmad, a resident of Urusa, Uri.
“But after 11 am, there was some calm. Still, we could not sleep properly as we were worried that shelling may start in the night hours,” he added.
Urusa is one of the villages in Uri on the heels of the LoC and the last village of this part of Kashmir.
Another resident of Uri, Ghulam Ahmad, said that as many as 35 villages of Uri along the line of control live under constant fear.
“There has been tension from Kamalkote area of Uri for many days now. Yesterday, we thought that war has begun. People of these villages have been advised not to come out of homes unnecessarily. They also have been told to keep children indoors,” he told The Kashmir Monitor over the phone.
The Uri subdivision comprises of around 1.25 lakh people and in case of any escalation on the 720 kms-long de-facto border, more than 50,000 people from border villages, circling the main town, are directly impacted.
The town is surrounded by the LoC on three sides.“Urusa, Silkote, Shoura, Churunda, Tilawari, Chakara, Guwati, Muripatti, and villages from Hajipeer area like Budna, Alawadi are most affected along the LoC by skirmishes,” Ghulam said.
Senior officials of administration Wednesday visited Uri. Following which a control room has been set up for any emergency.
The officials have been directed to remain alert and arrangements have been kept at girls’ higher secondary Uri for villagers stay in case of any eventuality.“We are ready in case the villagers have to be evacuated from villages along the LoC. But no evacuation orders have been issued for now,” a senior government official said.
