An army soldier was killed while three more suffered injuries when Pakistani forces are reported to have targeted forward posts along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu region on February 8. According to a defence spokesperson here, the Army has retaliated “effectively” and there are unconfirmed rumours that the other side has also suffered casualties. This fresh exchange of gunfire along the volatile Kashmir border is likely to flare up tensions which ultimately upends the lives of border residents. In these almost daily bouts of violence, border residents are forced to migrate to safer places or the government arranges temporary accommodation for them till the situation shows signs of improvement and it is safe enough for them to return to their homes, till the guns start blazing again and the sounds of explosions return to haunt them again. This cycle of perpetual violence not only deprives these residents of the right of living in a peaceful atmosphere but hundreds and thousands of children are forced to leave their education that is held hostage by the blazing guns of the two armies. Yesterday, the Jammu and Kashmir administration released another Rs 25 crore for construction of underground bunkers for the border residents in Kupwara and Baramulla districts. However, while this is a temporary measure that will provide some relief for people caught between the two sides, building bunkers is not going to resolve the problem entirely. The present dispensation may be taking an aggressive stand on Jammu and Kashmir but even the Opposition parties like Congress have been pointing out repeatedly that talks with Pakistan are necessary to sustainable peace in Kashmir. It may be convenient for today’s policymakers to use the Pakistan card for shore up electoral benefits for the ruling party but it comes at a heavy cost which is paid by the border residents living along the Line of Control. For how long are the two countries going to punish these innocuous people? For how long are the border children going to be deprived of education? For how long will these people continue to move from one place to another in search of peace? The need of the hour is for both countries to shun their egos, in the interest of people who are bearing the cost of their arrogance, and engage with each other. Doing so will truly usher our region in peace and prosperity.