the border tehsil surrounded on three sides by the Line of Control — once again found itself engulfed in fear and flames due to heavy cross-border shelling. On the night between May 6 and 7, 2025, intense and unexpected shelling shook the region, turning peaceful villages into scenes of chaos and destruction.
While brief periods of calm occasionally grace border areas, they are always overshadowed by an undercurrent of anxiety and uncertainty. Since the use of heavy artillery became common, the residents of Karnah have suffered irreparable human and financial losses. The latest round of shelling was no different. With no shelters or bunkers available, saving lives became nearly impossible. The terrified screams of women and children filled the air, heightening the terror.
Flames erupted in several villages as homes, shops, and private structures were hit. The fire services couldn’t reach the affected areas in time. Numerous houses were reduced to ashes, and several tall buildings and commercial establishments collapsed. While, fortunately, there was no loss of life this time, property worth billions of rupees was destroyed.
Although a ceasefire was declared on May 10 at 5:00 PM, the fear among the residents remains intact. The Indian Army did provide some immediate protection, but no significant relief or rehabilitation efforts have been launched so far.
All major political leaders visited Karnah with their entourages, but none announced emergency aid. Their visits seemed more like symbolic gestures than acts of genuine concern. One heartbreaking case is that of Nazir Ahmad Mir of Hajinar, who had arranged his daughter’s wedding scheduled just two days later. All the wedding items he had gathered through hard labor were destroyed in the shelling. Had there been real sympathy, someone would have at least helped him fulfill his daughter's dream.
Local official Tahir Zaman pointed out that political leaders are trying to use this tragedy for political mileage rather than addressing the urgent needs of the people. Their hollow concern is apparent. Similarly, local resident Raja Waqar emphasized that even an immediate ceasefire is only meaningful if it is accompanied by timely assistance to the affected civilians.
He added that those living comfortably in city mansions can never understand the pain of border residents. The people of Karnah have made sacrifices from the wars of 1947 to 1965, supporting the army and losing countless lives. Their patriotism isn’t mere words — it’s lived reality. They don’t just need protection, but food, clothing, and shelter.
The affected villages continue to weep unseen — tens of thousands of silent tears fall for those who lost everything. Locals are now demanding that emergency shelters and individual bunkers be made available for each household. While community bunkers were constructed in 2002 at a cost of Rs. 900,000 per hectare, many were taken over by landowners and converted into private property. More community bunkers were built in recent years with an investment of Rs. 2,000 crore, but each Panchayat Halqa (village council area) of over 6,000 people received only one bunker — far from sufficient.
Residents argue that if one community bunker can be built at the cost of Rs. 100,000, that same amount could fund at least a dozen individual bunkers — providing real, accessible protection for multiple families. They stress that each household should be granted and allotted an individual bunker for emergencies.
