As tensions flare between India and Pakistan, the civilians living along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir are enduring the harshest consequences, with border villages like Uri suffering direct hits from cross-border shelling.
In the Uri district, multiple shops were damaged in Pakistani shelling overnight, devastating livelihoods in the already fragile region. Locals, many of whom live below the poverty line, expressed helplessness and distress as the situation worsens.
“Those who have means or places would go there. But we are poor. Where would we go? The shelling must stop,” said one distressed resident.
Sajjad Ahmed, a shopkeeper in the border village, stood amidst the charred remnants of his livelihood on Friday morning. His shop was completely destroyed in the shelling.
“After we closed our shop last night, shelling started. This morning I saw that my shop is completely damaged. This is like the target killing of civilians. We are facing injustice. I have lost nearly ₹8–10 lakh. There’s nothing left,” he told media.
The attacks are widely seen as part of Pakistan’s retaliation after India’s recent Operation Sindoor, under which the Indian Armed Forces struck nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 people.
Tensions heightened further on Thursday night, with sirens blaring and explosions reported in Poonch and Rajouri districts, prompting a complete blackout in Jammu.
In addition, the Border Security Force (BSF) foiled a major infiltration attempt in Samba district along the International Border around 11 PM on May 8. In a post on X, BSF Jammu confirmed the interception and reaffirmed their vigilance.
Amid ongoing artillery fire, the Indian Army successfully shot down two Pakistani drones in the Naushera sector, defence sources reported. The drones were part of a larger pattern of incursions coinciding with ceasefire violations.
Indian officials have confirmed that recent strikes were precisely targeted at infrastructure linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, without impacting civilian or military installations unnecessarily.
Despite India’s tactical restraint, civilians along the LoC continue to bear the psychological and financial burden. With damage to property, disrupted lives, and ongoing fear of escalation, the people of Uri and similar border villages remain caught in the crossfire.