Civilians flee Poonch amid casualties and widespread damage; uneasy calm follows night of terror
Nazim Ali Manhas & Sarvjeet Singh | Poonch/Jammu, May 08 (DD)
Tension continues to mount along the Line of Control (LoC), a day after Poonch witnessed intense, war-like hostilities. According to the Indian Army, during the night of 7–8 May, Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked firing using small arms and heavy artillery in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
In response, Indian forces retaliated proportionately. However, the civilian toll has already proved devastating. Twelve civilians were killed and dozens more injured after indiscriminate Pakistani shelling targeted residential zones in Poonch on Tuesday, triggering a wave of panic and the migration of hundreds of locals to safer locations.
“We spent the entire night hiding. My neighbour’s house was hit directly. I have never seen anything like this in my life,” said a woman in Poonch, now seeking refuge with relatives in Surankote.
The artillery fire also caused extensive damage to private property, including dozens of vehicles at the Poonch bus stand and nearby commercial establishments. Burnt-out cars and shattered windows bore testament to the night’s terror as authorities cleared debris from the roads by morning.
“It felt like the world was ending. There was fire, screams, and the constant thunder of shells,” said a bus driver, who narrowly escaped when a shell landed metres away from his vehicle.
Shops and markets in Poonch town remained shut throughout Wednesday, and streets wore a deserted look as the spectre of fresh attacks loomed large. Locals said this was the first time in nearly four years that such heavy artillery fire had reached deep into the civilian zone (Poonch City).
“The ceasefire agreement was holding well since 2021. We never expected such intensity. People are traumatised and unsure when it will end,” said a senior citizen said.
Meanwhile, the International Border (IB) remains calm, with no untoward incidents reported so far from RS Pura or Hiranagar sectors.
As the smell of cordite lingers in the air and fear remains etched on the faces of those who fled, one truth becomes starkly clear—on the LoC, peace remains a promise unfulfilled. (DD)
