Deliberate bid to harm civilians in cross-LoC shelling: Omar

Bunkers back in focus in border areas after years of peace

15/05/2025

SRINAGAR, May 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that a deliberate attempt was made from across the Line of Control (LoC) to inflict maximum civilian harm in recent cross-border shelling in Jammu and Kashmir.
As many as 21 civilians, including five children, lost their lives in Jammu and Kashmir in four days of the cross-border shelling beginning May 7. Fifteen persons died in Poonch district, which witnessed heavy artillery firing from the Pakistan Army.
Omar, who visited shelling-affected areas of Uri in Baramulla district on Wednesday, said Pakistan fired indiscriminately in civilian areas.
"During the two to three days, they fired indiscriminately in civilian areas, and it felt as if they were deliberately trying to maximize civilian casualties," Omar told reporters in Uri.
He expressed relief over the ceasefire, saying, "Thankfully, the DGMO from the other side picked up the phone and spoke, resulting in the ceasefire. As of now, the border and Line of Control are silent."
Omar also highlighted the administration's response to the crisis, stating that damage assessment and relief work have already begun and will continue over the coming days.
"It will take time, but we will ensure that the affected people are rehabilitated," he said.
In response to growing fears among residents, Omar noted a renewed demand for individual bunkers.
"People had stopped thinking about bunkers in recent years. But these past few days have reminded everyone how bad the border situation can get. Whether it is on the Jammu or Kashmir side, wherever I went, people asked for individual bunkers and not the community bunkers," Omar said.
"First, we will provide relief immediately. Then, we will talk to the central government and will arrange bunkers for all the areas that have been affected by the shelling," he added.
When asked whether anyone gained from the recent skirmishes, Omar responded, saying, "Ask the families who had to bury or cremate their loved ones - what benefit did they get?"
Omar said that he has maintained India didn't start this fight.
"We did not start this fight. Our innocent people were attacked in Pahalgam. 26 people lost their lives. I have said this from day one. If the guns are silenced from there, then the guns here will be silenced by themselves," he said.
Omar also offered condolences to the family of Nargis Begum, who lost her life in the shelling, saying, "No words can express the depth of their grief or the magnitude of this tragedy."
Bunkers have once again become a key topic of discussion in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, following intense cross-border shelling from Pakistan that resulted in both loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure, as stated by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday.
During his visit to Uri in Baramulla district, the J-K CM reviewed the situation in areas affected by Pakistan's shelling and noted the need for the locals of the area for such protective structures, which had diminished over the years until the recent escalation of violence.
CM Abdullah emphasised the government's commitment to providing individual bunkers to residents in response to their demands.
"Again, bunkers are now a topic of discussion. For several years, we were not in need of bunkers. Now, the people have demanded individual bunkers, not community ones. We will arrange bunkers for all the regions affected by the shelling," CM Abdullah told reporters.
The J-K CM stated that the situation following the shelling is the same in Uri, Tangdhar, Rajouri, and Poonch and stated that following the assessment of the places, compensation will be provided to the people.
"The situation is the same in Uri, Tangdhar, Rajouri, and Poonch. Our civilian areas were attacked for two to three days... It seemed as if the efforts were made to involve more and more civilians. Right now, the ceasefire is prevailing, and there is peace in the border regions currently. We are trying to reach all the areas that are affected. We are doing the assessment of all the damage done, and based on that, we will provide compensation to the people," CM Abdullah noted.
The recent shelling by Pakistan, in retaliation for India's 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, targeted civilian areas along Jammu and Kashmir and the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in civilian deaths and significant damage to residential infrastructure.
The operation was launched to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
An understanding of the cessation of hostilities was announced on May 10 following India's response of damaging 11 Pakistani airbases.
CM Abdullah also addressed the broader context of the conflict, stating, "I have said from day one, we did not start this war. Our innocent people were attacked in Pahalgam. If the guns are not fired from that side, our guns will also not fire."
CM also acknowledged the loss and pain suffered by locals residing in these border villages and said that the pain of people in the affected areas was "deeply personal".
Earlier on Tuesday, JK Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said that the administration has been working to compensate those affected by Pakistani shelling, with more bunkers being built in the border areas.
"Many people have been injured and houses have been damaged due to shelling from across the Line of Control. The administration is working to compensate those affected by Pakistani shelling... We will build more bunkers in the border areas," he said.

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