As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, panic has spread across the border town of Karnah in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Residents, already familiar with the trauma of past ceasefire violations, fear that the hard-earned peace may once again collapse.
Located directly along the volatile Line of Control (LoC), Karnah remains highly vulnerable. Despite repeated appeals over the years, many families in the area continue to live without basic protective infrastructure like bunkers, leaving them exposed as the possibility of cross-border shelling looms large.
Haji Tasleem Mir, a local resident, voiced the growing anxiety. “If Pakistan begins ceasefire violations again, where will we shelter?
We have no bunkers. We want peace, not war. But if war happens, we the people of Karnah will stand with the Indian Army,” he said.
The memories of past firing incidents remain fresh among the people. Shelling and gunfire have previously disrupted lives—schools were forced to close, families fled their homes, and local infrastructure suffered repeated damage.
With the current situation teetering on the edge, locals are once again gripped by uncertainty. Schools are reporting absenteeism, families are making emergency plans, and the overall atmosphere is marked by fear and anticipation.
While the threat of renewed hostilities persists, the people of Karnah continue to show resilience. Their message remains clear: they desire peace, but if conflict erupts, they are ready to stand firm. (KNS)
