As India struck nine terror targets in Pakistan early Wednesday leading to tensions flaring along the Line of Control (LoC), residents in Kashmir’s frontier villages described a night of fear as heavy artillery shelling damaged homes and forced families into underground bunkers or out of their villages.
In Uri and Tangdhar sectors, along the LoC in Baramulla and Kupwara districts, locals reported some of the heaviest shelling in recent years. “We have shifted to the underground bunkers, but this is the heaviest shelling here in recent years,” said a resident of Tangdhar, who added that at least four houses in his neighbourhood had caught fire after being struck by shells.
The shelling, which residents said began late Tuesday night, came after India launched strikes on several terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistani forces retaliated by firing artillery across the LoC.
In Uri, residents said the barrage began around 11 pm, with shells landing deep into populated areas. “Several houses were damaged and caught fire in the shelling,” one Uri resident said. “We are fleeing to safer places.” Another described shells landing as far as Salamabad, close to the main town of Uri.
While the violence surged in these sectors, the Gurez region in Bandipore district remained relatively calm. “As of now, there has been no violation, but we have started to flee to Bandipore,” a resident said. “We have left Gurez and have been stopped by the Army near Kanzalwan. They are asking us to wait till 6 am, and then they will allow us to move forward.”
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd