Border residents prepare bunkers to protect themselves from shelling amid India-Pakistan tensions

In the wake of repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan, people living in border areas of Jammu, like Arnia and Abdullian in RS Pura, have started cleaning and preparing community bunkers to stay safe from cross-border threats.

In Arnia, locals have cleaned many individual and several community bunkers.

Each community bunker can hold more than 50 people and has separate areas for men and women, along with proper ventilation.

Many villagers are also busy harvesting their crops. Some have already finished because of the fear of cross-border shelling.

In Abdullian, residents said they have completed wheat harvesting.

“After the Pahalgam attack, we completed our harvesting because the threat of cross-border firing has increased,” said Sushma Singh. She added that people are alert but not panicking.

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“Everyone is busy with their daily chores,” she said. “But everyone knows that something is likely to happen, as India has promised retaliation.”

In Jammu, the International Border (IB), which Pakistan calls the working boundary, is guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF). In the past, many people living near the IB have died due to Pakistani shelling. Others have been seriously injured, with some losing limbs.

When the situation gets worse along the IB, many take shelter in the basements of their homes, using them as bunkers.

Since the Pahalgam attack, there have been regular small-arms fire exchanged between the BSF and Pakistani Rangers. People living near the Line of Control in Poonch and Rajouri have also been affected by clashes between the Indian and Pakistani armies. Skirmishes with small arms, like machine guns, have been taking place regularly since the attack.

Pakistan has targeted areas such as Sunderbani and Nowshera in Rajouri, and some parts of Poonch. The situation remains tense, but it is currently under control.

India