Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 21: A year after intense cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LOC) resulted in destruction of properties in this border town, the people of Uri in northern Kashmir complain of unfulfilled promises that left them insecure and unprotected.
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On the 20th of May 2025, after the terrorist attack on Pahalgam, shelling and alleged drone attacks took place in many places in Uri. Even now, evidence of damage is visibly present. Many homes have been damaged, many stores are closed, and damaged cars serve as proof of how violence ruined the normal routine of people. In the concerned villages, many families are struggling to restart their lives. Though some repairs are underway, rebuilding is still incomplete for those who had to lose their houses or evacuate their homes amid the shelling.
36-year-old Abdul Rahman narrates from the porch of his partly damaged home. “It was crucial to save my family and leave everything else behind at that time. What has taken years to create was washed away in minutes,” he says.
He feels that the compensation offered by the authorities was insufficient for reconstruction purposes. “The authorities only gave me three lakhs. What am I supposed to do with that? I purchased some materials, but the destruction is enormous,” he says.
Now, with the rumor mill running wild about “Operation Sindoor 2,” fear reigns supreme once again. “We are frightened. Hearing such news makes us feel unable to sleep. We need bunkers in all villages located near the LoC,” he adds.
The residents also mention that the security structure is not fully established in the area. Even after Operation Sindoor, no bunker has been constructed in any village, making them vulnerable to any further firings.
Riyaz Ahmad, another resident, said people were promised bunkers during the shelling, but work has not started. “We were told bunkers will be built. Both the central and Union Territory governments should ensure this is done. The enemy can attack anytime,” he said.
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