A year after intense shelling from Pakistani forces devastated villages along the Line of Control (LoC) following India’s strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), numerous families in north Kashmir are still grappling with the aftermath. The extensive damage to their homes, coupled with what they describe as insufficient compensation, has left many struggling to rebuild their lives.
The shelling occurred in the wake of India’s strikes, which targeted alleged terror infrastructure as retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. The assault inflicted widespread destruction on several villages within the Baramulla and Kupwara districts, displacing hundreds of families and leaving many homes in ruins. As per information available with TahirRihat.com, residents whose houses sustained partial or complete damage claim that the financial assistance provided by the government falls significantly short of covering the actual costs required for reconstruction.
Abdul Hamid Khan, a resident of Kalgie village in Uri, recounted the extensive damage inflicted upon his home and those of his two sons. (Khan stated, according to The Tribune, that three houses belonging to him and his two sons were badly damaged in the shelling.) The family was subsequently relocated to a government building in Salamabad, where they continue to reside. The financial assistance received has been inadequate. (Khan said, “Each of us received Rs 1.35 lakh as compensation. What can anyone do with such a small amount?”)
The shelling has exacerbated the family’s financial difficulties, forcing them to transfer their children to government schools. (Khan added, according to The Tribune, that they even approached the local MLA, but nothing substantial happened, and they are struggling every day.) The challenges faced by Khan and his family underscore the broader struggles of many border residents who are striving to restore their lives in the aftermath of the conflict.
Another Uri resident, Anwar Sheikh, shared a similar predicament, stating that he received an initial compensation of Rs 1.30 lakh, followed by an additional Rs 2 lakh. He questioned whether this amount was sufficient to rebuild his home, given the scale of the damage. (Sheikh said, according to The Tribune, that the total construction cost of the house is around Rs 70 to 80 lakh and lamented that he has no means to rebuild it.) He appealed to both the National Conference (NC) government and the central government to collaborate in assisting border residents with the reconstruction of their homes.
Sajjad Shafi, the National Conference MLA from Uri, acknowledged that the issue has been repeatedly raised with the relevant authorities. He conveyed that the central government has not provided adequate funding to address the needs of the affected communities. (Shafi said, according to The Tribune, that whatever the NC government could do was done, and they had proposed Rs 10 lakh compensation for families whose houses were completely damaged, but the central government did not materialize anything.)
Shafi further highlighted the lack of progress in constructing new individual or community bunkers in Uri following the shelling. This absence of enhanced protective infrastructure leaves residents of border villages vulnerable and continues to contribute to their ongoing suffering. (Shafi said, according to The Tribune, that people living in border villages continue to suffer.) The slow pace of reconstruction and the lack of adequate support have fueled frustration and despair among the affected population.
The situation in these border villages highlights the urgent need for increased government intervention and financial assistance to facilitate the rebuilding process. Additionally, improving the availability of protective infrastructure and addressing the long-term socioeconomic needs of the affected communities are imperative to ensure their well-being and security. The experiences of Abdul Hamid Khan, Anwar Sheikh, and countless other families underscore the pressing challenges faced by those living along the LoC and the importance of sustained support from both the state and central governments.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.