Amid sleepless nights, fear grips evacuated border residents
KS News Desk
Baramulla, May 09: As Indias Operation Sindoor continues, life in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir remains paralyzed, with the looming fear of war making daily existence difficult for residents.
Fear is everywherean unsettling uncertainty hangs in the air. People are left wondering: What will happen next? Are we really safe?
The ground situation in Kashmir reflects widespread anxiety, with fear visible on every face. Residents are left waiting and questioning: What will happen next? Are we really safe? Many have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect Kashmir from those who threaten peace.
What is our mistake? Why are we repeatedly victimized? How long must the people of Jammu and Kashmir endure this destruction? We were just beginning to recover from past horrors, rebuilding our lives and businesses in peaceyet again, we are being pushed toward devastation, said a group of shopkeepers in Lal Chowk, Srinagar.
"While we support a strong response to the enemies of peace, the current environment is affecting us deeply. Still, we remain hopeful and have full faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modis government. We trust relief will come soon, and our businesses will flourish again," they said.
Several residents from the border town of Urinow relocated to safer areas in Baramulla and its outskirtsexpressed gratitude toward the administration.
We are thankful for the administrations support during this crisis. Since Wednesday, teams from various civil departments, along with the police, have been ensuring our safety and well-being, they said.
Anjuman, a student, said they are safe now as the Baramulla district administrations efforts have made them feel secure after surviving the initial shelling on Tuesday night.
"My entire family, along with others, was evacuated from Uri, and we are now receiving all necessary facilities," she said.
She also appealed for peace saying that tension between the two nations must end.
"We, the younger generation, do not want to witness such destruction. We dream of a bright and successful future," she said.
Meeru Akther, a mother of three daughters, shared her anguish and said they are proud of nation for giving a befitting reply to the enemies of peace.
"But what is our fault? Why are made to suffer? Our houses are damaged while the family members injured, and helpless," she said.
She appealed to PM Modi for protection.
"We are poor and have already endured enough from cross-border shelling. At least save our younger generation," she said.
Reports from the Tangdar sector indicate that the Kupwara district administration has been relocating residents to safer areas since Wednesday.
Just a week ago, there was laughter and bonfires here, said Imtiyaz Ahmad, who had converted part of his home in Uri into a homestay for trekkers last year. Today, theres only silence, broken by the sound of distant shelling.
For years, border residents lived in fear, but the last four years brought a rare stretch of calm. Locals began to dream beyond mere survival. Young people opened cafs, promoted camping sites on social media, and invited tourists to experience life along the border. In Tangdar and Poonch, tour operators had even started including these areas in their itineraries.
The government had launched promotional campaigns to develop these regions into tourism hubs, but now, everything lies in ruins, locals said, adding that they now live in constant fear of further escalation.
They further said that authorities had instructed them to keep their lights off at night, leaving them no choice but to comply. The lights are off now, they added.
Majeed Khan, another resident of Karnah, said people across the area are living in fear. While many have fled the village, others have chosen to stay. We feel completely suffocated, unsure of what will happen next, he said.
Are we destined to witness destruction, disaster, and hellish situations forever? We beg both nations to leave us in Gods mercy. We have already suffered so muchhow long will we be victims of this gun culture? said a group of youngsters.
They expressed that their elders grew up amid this conflict, and now they long for the beautiful morning of a new beginning filled with peace, prosperity, and development. Alhamdulillah, things were going well, but how long will these enemies of peace make us suffer? How long will they try to snatch our peace? Whats our fault? Why must we bear the brunt of these wars? Why? Why? they added.
They appealed to both nations to maintain peace and to avoid focusing on war, which only brings destruction and makes people victims.
Similar efforts are underway in the Gurez sector, where authorities are assisting families in moving to Bandipora amid the escalating tensions reports said.
Fifteen civilians have been killed, and 59 others injured, as Pakistani troops engaged in cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) for 14 consecutive days. The attacks escalated to heavy artillery fire and mortar shelling on forward villages in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, and Akhnoor, officials reported.
An Indian Army soldier was also killed in the firing on Thursday.
In Poonch, 13 civilians lost their lives, and 44 others were wounded in ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the External Affairs Ministry confirmed.
United Nations officials stationed in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district have been relocated to safer areas due to intense shelling. The personnel, part of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), were moved as a precautionary measure.
India Strikes Back
The Indian Army retaliated with proportionate force, targeting Pakistani positions responsible for the provocation.
On Thursday, Indian armed forces struck Pakistans air defense infrastructure, destroying Chinese-origin HQ-9 missile systems in Lahore, sources revealed. The operation came in response to Islamabads failed attempt to hit Indian military targets. With their radar systems neutralized, Pakistans air defense in the Lahore sector has been severely compromised.
An official statement read: This morning, the Indian Armed Forces targeted air defense radars and systems at multiple locations in Pakistan. Indias response has been in the same domain and with the same intensity as Pakistans actions. It has been reliably confirmed that an air defense system in Lahore has been neutralized.
The latest hostilities follow Indias high-precision military offensive, Operation Sindoor, which struck nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) early Wednesday. The operation targeted infrastructure linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
In retaliation, Pakistan shelled civilian areas in the Karnah sector of Kupwara late Wednesday night. Mortar shells and artillery rounds landed near residential zones shortly after midnight, forcing residents to flee. Most civilians in Karnah had already relocated following earlier shelling. One soldier, Dinesh Kumar of the 5 Fd Regt, was killed in the attack.
Earlier, on Tuesday night, Pakistans indiscriminate shelling along the LoC and International Border killed 15 Indian civilians and injured at least 43 in the Poonch and Tangdhar regions. Poonch district bore the brunt of the attacks, accounting for all civilian deaths.
Defense sources confirmed that the Indian Armys swift retaliation in the Kupwara and Rajouri-Poonch sectors inflicted significant damage on Pakistani military installations, with reports indicating heavy enemy casualties.
Meanwhile, Amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions, the Jammu Traders Federation appealed for calm, assuring the public that essential supplies remain available.
The federation has reactivated war rooms to distribute free rations and medicines to border residents affected by the hostilities.
The reassurance came as authorities evacuated hundreds from villages along the LoC and International Border following intense Pakistani shelling.
People are panic-buying due to fear, but there is no need to worry. We have enough rations to last three months, President Jammu Traders Federation, in a statement said.
He emphasized the traders solidarity with the nation, noting that prices of essentials like oil, flour, and rice have been reduced to ease public burden.
Two war roomsone for rations and another for medicineshave been set up to aid border residents. These will provide free supplies to those in need, just as we did during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gupta said.
Ration stocks have already been dispatched across Jammu, and Gupta reiterated: We are fully prepared to handle this situation.
Meanwhile, The closure of Srinagar International Airport, coupled with the shutdown of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway due to landslides, has severely disrupted travel.
The heightened security situation has impacted other airports in northern and western India, with at least 25 airports temporarily closed. Major airports like Pathankot and Chandigarh, as well as smaller ones in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Gujarat, have been affected.
Since the IAFs precision strikes in PoK on May 7 as part of Operation Sindoor, over 300 flights have been canceled. Airlines such as IndiGo and SpiceJet have suspended operations to and from Srinagar, Amritsar, Leh, and Jammu.
Heavy rains triggered landslides, blocking the Jammu-Srinagar Highwaythe only road link connecting Kashmir to the rest of India. Multiple stretches in Ramban district, including Trishul Morh and Seri Chamba, were affected. Officials reported that restoration efforts were underway but hampered by ongoing rainfall.
In light of escalating tensions, authorities ordered the closure schools, colleges and universities across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday and Saturday.
Minister of Education, Sakina Itoo in a post on X said said that keeping in view the safety of students, all the private and government schools, colleges and universities shall remain closed on Friday and Saturday.
Registrar of KU also said that they have decided to suspend the classwork for Friday.
"If there are any other changes, we will notify the students accordingly," he said.
Meanwhile, several areas of Jammu, Punjab and Rajasthan are in blackout. The government is constantly monitoring the situation and has destroyed several drones that were sent by the Pakistan armed forces.
In the meantime, the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr S Jaishankar, has confirmed that he spoke to US Secretary Marco Rubio, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, and DPM and FM of Italy, Antonio Tajani.
Spoke with US @SecRubio this evening. Deeply appreciate US commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism. Underlined Indias targeted and measured response to cross-border terrorism. Will firmly counter any attempts at escalation, Jaishankar tweeted. (Courtesy: Webstory/The Varmul Post)
'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is proving that dedication and ambition can propel one to global heights. Munaf-ul-Raquib who holds a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, has gained international recognition for his research on black holes and cosmology. Munaf-ul-Raquib revealed that his paper on the thermodynamics of black holes was recently published in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). “About a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,” he said. He said that since his research was published in the international journal, he has been receiving opportunities from various countries to participate in research dialogues. Raquib added that in the coming months he is scheduled to participate in international conferences in Paris on April 16 and later in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Sopore aerospace engineer noted that he is also participating in various conferences across different countries. Speaking about his research, Munaf-ul-Raquib addressed a fundamental paradox in astrophysics: how black holes can appear to violate thermodynamic laws, particularly concerning entropy.“If we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,” he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeeb’s research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. “In this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,” he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. “It is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,” he said. Raqeeb shared that Astrophysics was his childhood dream, and his grandfather encouraged me immensely. "After my grandfather passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, my parents continued to champion my aspirations. My parents left no stone unturned in helping me pursue my dreams,” he said. He said that his academic path included taking the JEE and later the AME CET entrance exams, through which he secured a seat in aerospace engineering at the Nasik Research Centre. “My parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,” he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. “Just as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.” “Young people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,” he further added.
Srinagar, Jan 8: The University of Kashmir (KU) has made the biometric attendance mandatory for the students of its affiliated colleges from Academic session 2026-27. The development comes in wake of the complaints about the thin attendance of the students in various private B.Ed colleges affiliated with the Kashmir University. A circular in this regard has been issued by the Assistant Registrar Dean Colleges Development Council (DCDC) of the University. "All the Chairpersons and Principals of private affiliated colleges of the University of Kashmir are hereby informed that biometric attendance for all the enrolled students and staff has been made mandatory from the year 2026-27," the KU circular reads. The Principals of all the affiliated colleges have been directed to install biometric attendance machines in their respective institutions on or before the commencement of the Academic year 2026-27 under intimation to the Dean College Development Council of the University. "The college shall also ensure proper upkeep, maintenance, and systematic preservation of all biometric attendance records for future reference and verification," it reads. The Colleges have been directed to comply with this directive "without fail." The move comes in wake of the inspections conducted last year by the DCDC of KU in various B.Ed colleges where most of the students were found absent. An official said that there were complaints about the poor attendance of the students in B.Ed colleges. "The students do not attend their B.Ed classes regularly which defeats the purpose of the course," the official said. Earlier, DCDC of KU earlier barred the B.Ed students to appear in teh semester exams for falling short of attendance. The decision was taken in wake of the surprise inspection conducted by Dean College Development Council (DCDC) in various B.Ed colleges of Kashmir in June-July month of 2025 and several students were found absent from the classes. Following this, the students were directed to attend supplementary classes to complete the recommended attendance for appearing in their exams. Also, the exam of these students was deferred by few months.
Baramulla, Jan 9: Deputy Commissioner Baramulla on Thursday said that the situation caused by the landslides on Ur-Baramulla was temporary and would be resolved once the excavation process of the road is completed. The statement comes amid the concerns over recurring landslides on the Uri–Baramulla road due to ongoing road widening project being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Talking to Kashmir Square, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa said that such issues are common during the construction of hill roads and should not be viewed as an unusual development. “There is no major issue. Whenever a hill road is constructed or widened, such problems are recurrent,” he said. He further said that the slopes usually take time to stabilise after excavation. "The excavation process affects the natural stability of the hillside and it generally takes one to two years for slopes to fully stabilise," he said. Minga Sherpa said several slope stabilisation measures are already in place to minimise risks. “Grouting has been done and protective walling has also been constructed at several points,” DC Baramulla told Kashmir Square. He further said that around 200 metres of excavation work is still pending on the stretch and the remaining cutting work is expected to be completed within a month. “Once the excavation is finished, the BRO and concerned agencies will carry out full-fledged slope stabilisation measures. After that, such incidents will not occur again,” he said. Over the past few weeks, the Uri–Baramulla road, a vital link connecting the border town of Uri with Baramulla district witnessed intermittent traffic disruptions due to landslides triggered by excavation work, raising safety concerns among commuters. The Baramulla–Uri National Highway remained closed on Thursday after another landslide struck the stretch - the third such incident reported in the last 20 days, causing severe inconvenience to commuters. A fresh landslide hit the highway on Thursday afternoon, forcing authorities to immediately halt traffic movement on the route as a precautionary measure. It was the third such incident in just 20 days on the Baramulla–Uri National Highway, following two earlier slides that also triggered full traffic halts and diversions through alternate routes. Only emergency vehicles were allowed to pass, while all routine traffic was stopped to avoid any untoward incident. An official said the road clearance operations were launched soon after the incident, with personnel and machinery mobilised to remove debris and stabilise the affected area. "The highway was made motorable again from the evening hours," he said. The closure of the main Baramulla–Uri National Highway compelled authorities to divert vehicles through the dilapidated Khadniyar–Gantamulla road.
Srinagar, Jan 8: The Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has pulled up the officers vested with the powers of Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) as their additional assignment, for indulging in administrative works, beyond their domain. As per the order issued by the Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani, the officers having additional DDO powers, have been reprimanded for going beyond their role of duties. "It has come to the notice of the DSEK that many officers of the department vested with DDOs powers are affecting transfers and doing administrative works having no authority to do so," the order reads. As per the order, all these DDOs holding charge in additional capacity have been asked to utilise the powers for the purpose of drawing and disbursing salary and other financial matters within the limits of the authority. "The officers shall not exercise any administrative powers particularly with respect to the transfer of staff," it reads. The DSEK has warned of disciplinary action in case of violation of the order by any officers. "Any deviation from the instant order shall be viewed seriously and invite disciplinary action," it reads.
Jammu, Jan 11: Security forces picked up movement of suspected drones in several forward areas along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening, officials said. All the flying objects came from the Pakistan side, and returned after hovering over Indian territory for few minutes, they said. According to officials, security forces have launched a search operation on the ground after noticing the suspected drone activity in the forward areas. Army troops guarding the Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri, fired from medium and light machine guns on observing drone movement over Gania-Kalsian village around 6.35 pm, they said. Another drone was noticed at Khabbar village in Teryath in Rajouri district at 6.35 pm. The flying object, with blinking light, came from the direction of Dharmsal village in Kalakote and moved further towards Bharakh, officials said. A drone-like object with blinking light was also seen hovering for several minutes over Chak Babral village in Ramgarh sector of Samba around 7.15 pm, they said. Another drone-like object was seen moving from the direction of Tain towards Topa in Mankote sector, located along the LoC, in Poonch district at 6.25 pm. On Friday night, security forces recovered an arms consignment, allegedly dropped by a drone that originated in Pakistan, in Paloora village of Ghagwal near the IB in Samba district. The recovery included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds and a grenade, they added. (PTI)
'I have complete faith in our Youth’s potential, their resolve to shape a developed India' Jammu, Jan 7: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Wednesday, virtually, flagged off a 53-member Youth Contingent from UT of Jammu Kashmir for New Delhi to participate in the 29th National Youth Festival-Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue-2026. To commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on 12th January, the National Youth Festival (NYF) dedicated to youth empowerment and unity for the youth is organised annually. In the year 2025, the National Youth Festival was restructured as Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue to align with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The contingent selected for the Viksit Bharat Challenge Track and Cultural/Innovation Track will represent J&K at the prestigious national event at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 10th to 12th January 2026. Interacting with the participating youth through virtual mode, the Lieutenant Governor extended his best wishes for the prestigious event. He congratulated the participants for emerging from local competitions to reach the national stage, noting that their journey reflects the immense potential inherent in the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. “Youth is not a matter about age. It is the mindset. It is about courage, curiosity, and the power to bring about change. I have complete faith in our Youth’s potential and their resolve to shape a developed India,” the Lieutenant Governor said. Invoking Swami Vivekananda’s iconic clarion call, “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached,” the Lieutenant Governor urged the youth to make their dreams the sole purpose of their lives and to consider every challenge on the way as a lesson in discipline and patience. He emphasized that true leadership is defined not by personal achievements, but by the ability to create opportunities for others. “Your greatest responsibility is towards society and the nation. True progress is about creating opportunities for others to move forward. Develop future capabilities, focus on character building and embrace lifelong learning. Be bold, be fearless, think beyond boundaries. Your courage, discipline, clarity, and determination, combined with the experience will be your guide in this journey toward Viksit Bharat,” the Lieutenant Governor told the Youth. Commissioner Secretary to Government Youth Services and Sports Yasha Mudgal, Director General Youth Services and Sports Anuradha Gupta, senior officials, participating youth and officials accompanying the Contingent were present.
To decide on 5-marla plots for flood-hit families, Rs 118 cr infusion for cooperative banksKS News DeskJammu, Dec 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is scheduled to chair a Cabinet meeting on Monday and take key policy decisions.The decisions include approval of a land-allotment policy for families affected by recent floods and financial support for cooperative banks, official sources said.Sources said that the Cabinet meeting will be held at the Civil Secretariat at 10:30 am under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and will be attended by other ministers and senior officers.One of the major agenda items is the approval of a policy to allot five marlas of land to people whose houses were damaged due to flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides during the monsoon season this year.Sources said the policy has been finalised after detailed consultations and follows the Chief Ministers earlier announcement assuring relief to families whose homes were severely damaged during the monsoon calamities, particularly on August 14 and 26, when large-scale damage to houses, crops and infrastructure was reported across Jammu and Kashmir.Another significant item on the agenda is the proposed infusion of Rs 118 crore into the Jammu Central Cooperative Bank and Anantnag Central Cooperative Bank to help revive their financial health.Both banks have been facing operational and financial challenges, and the government considers them vital for the cooperative sector in the region.The Cabinet is also expected to deliberate on enhancement of the pay level of Village Level Workers (VLWs) of the Rural Development Department, an issue that has been under consideration for some time.Additionally, around 20 posts of District Panchayat Officers (DPOs) are proposed to be re-designated as Block Development Officers (BDOs) to strengthen administrative functioning at the grassroots level.Sources added that the Cabinet may also discuss financial matters, including central funding and related issues, though the next UT Budget for 202627 is likely to be presented in March next year.It is noteworthy that all decisions taken by the Cabinet will be subject to approval by the Lieutenant Governor. (KNC)
