Civilians Reflect on the Harrowing Aftermath of Cross-Border Strikes in Kashmir

Witnesses from both Indian and Pakistan-administered Kashmir describe the chaos and fear that engulfed their lives after a series of missile strikes, revealing the fragile reality of life along the Line of Control.

In the early hours of Wednesday, when Mohammed Waheed and his family in Pakistan-administered Kashmir were jolted awake by powerful blasts, chaos ensued. "Before we could even process what was happening, more missiles struck,” he recounted, describing children crying and frantic efforts to find safety. The strikes came as a retaliation by the Indian military following a militant attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals in Indian-administered Kashmir, which India attributes to militant groups allegedly backed by Pakistan—a claim that Islamabad has consistently denied.

Witness accounts from both regions reveal a devastating toll. Pakistani authorities reported eight civilian fatalities and over 35 injuries from the strikes, while Indian forces confirmed at least seven casualties on their side due to Pakistani shelling. Ruby Kaur, a victim in India’s Poonch district, tragically lost her life while preparing tea for her unwell husband, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence amid an absence of community bunkers for safety.

Dr. Zamrood Mughal, another Poonch resident, spoke of the terror that gripped their community: “People couldn’t sleep the entire night. Homes were abandoned in search of safety.” Meanwhile, in Nangal Sahadan, Muhammad Younis Shah witnessed missiles obliterate an educational complex—an affront to the sanctity of children’s education and safety.

With rescue operations ongoing but fear of further violence pervasive, locals express heightened anxiety about what is to come next. Waheed shared his torment, "We're terrified... and the sense of uncertainty is overwhelming." His sentiments echoed a broader plea from his community, searching for reassurances amid the turmoil. As Indian officials outlined the strikes as "focused" and devoid of intent to escalate, the lived experiences in the affected areas starkly contradicted this narrative, leaving individuals grappling with confusion and dread over the impacts on their daily lives and communal spaces.