Our border town of Poonch near the Line of Control has recently seen a horrifying increase in violence. Now it has turned into one of the most severely hit regions in Indian-occupied Kashmir. The town, a home base for around 40,000 residents, has suffered overwhelming casualties and almost complete destruction from recent cross-border shelling. Hundreds of thousands more have been forced to seek refuge in other parts of Jammu and Kashmir. They are hoping to escape the threat of war.
Poonch has been historically known to be at the crossroads of ever-constant conflict between India and Pakistan. This became even more pronounced in recent weeks, creating a disastrous new norm for the city’s residents. The impact of the artillery fire has severely traumatized the civilian community. As extensive evacuations have ended, the effects of the storm are clear, including catastrophic flooding of residential and commercial areas.
A Day of Tragedy
Local resident Pervez Malik described in shocking detail the terrifying experience of when a shell landed on his home and how survivors fled for safety. Located only seven kilometers from the U.S. border, his home had until then escaped the scourge of such violence. The shell, which had been fired from Pakistan, destroyed the house, and later that day it took the life of his younger brother.
“A shell landed here but didn’t explode immediately,” – Pervez Malik.
Malik shared chilling anecdotes about his efforts to keep local children from fatal injury. The first familiar face I saw was my neighbor, Ayan. I did my best to keep them holed up, they often wanted to come out. After seven or eight seconds the shell exploded,” he recalled. His witness story highlights the very fragile nature of day-to-day existence in Poonch under almost a perpetual state of war.
The impact on families has been profound. Kawaljot Kaur, Malik’s sister, still struggles to come to terms with the trauma of losing her brother. “My brother was standing on the verandah, and he was hit by a bomb there,” she shared, her voice trembling with emotion.
“It is a big loss for our family; we are not able to believe this happened to us. We are very scared,” – Kawaljot Kaur.
Kaur’s statement reflects the collective fear gripping Poonch’s residents. Many families have not slept well since the shelling began, with Kaur noting that even minor sounds evoke memories of impending doom. “We haven’t slept for three nights. Every very minor sound feels like there are bombs falling,” she stated.
The Human Cost of Conflict
The repercussions of this shelling reach much beyond the intimate horror of these deaths. The shelling has left an utter ruin in its wake throughout Poonch. Homes are left with visible reminders, including gaping holes in kitchen ceilings and deep cracks marring the walls. With schools and places of worship directly targeted, this has heightened an already-civilian-targeting atmosphere of insecurity.
The communities surrounding each of these sites have mourned alongside us, sharing their shock and sorrow in response to these violent acts. Many residents have taken to voicing their concerns about the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan. One relative of another victim remarked, “War is not the answer. Common people are getting impacted because of it.” Yet this sentiment perfectly captures the helplessness of hundreds of thousands of families that have been thrust onto the frontlines of this geopolitical battle.
“I was shocked to see injured going inside the hospital and dead bodies coming out. It is very shocking for us,” – Relative of Amarjit Singh.
The survivors of Poonch are crafting moments of joy and connection by reviving their lost community ties. They share their stories, drawing strength from one another as they confront this new reality together.
A Town in Despair
Poonch’s situation has gotten to the point that with each passing day, the reality of life becomes more and more impossible. In the wake of so many residents being displaced, the continuity of community life is literally on a razor’s edge. Families bear the brunt of the psychological effects. They fight to heal from onslaught of daily dread from violence while having to succumb and acclimate to an impending apocalypse.
This influx of displaced people has added to the already difficult task for local governments and humanitarian groups of ensuring that their needs and resources are met. As infrastructure is reduced to rubble by relentless bombardments, provision of basic services is increasingly impossible.
The plight of Poonch represents a broader narrative within conflict zones. Civilians endure the brunt of violence while political leaders grapple with complex histories and disputes. Unless and until these tensions are resolved, towns such as Poonch will be the victim.
