Surankote, May 12, KNT: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accompanied by Cabinet Minister Javed Ranaa and MLA Surankote Ch. Mohd Akram Lassanvi, visited Surankote in Poonch district to assess the ground situation and damages caused by recent cross-border shelling.
During the visit, the Chief Minister met with local residents and families affected by the shelling, who narrated harrowing accounts of destruction to homes, livestock, and farmlands. The villagers appealed for immediate construction of underground bunkers and financial relief for the victims, citing the continuing threat from across the border.
“Our lives have been shattered. We need protection and support. Underground bunkers are not a luxury but a necessity here,” said one local resident while interacting with the Chief Minister and visiting officials.
CM Omar Abdullah expressed solidarity with the affected population and assured them that the government is actively considering measures to enhance border safety, including the construction of community bunkers in vulnerable areas.
“We are here to listen and to act,” he said. “The loss you have suffered will be addressed, and your demands will be taken seriously.”
MLA Akram Lassanvi and Minister Javed Ranaa echoed the Chief Minister’s sentiments and said they would raise the matter at the highest level to ensure swift allocation of funds and rehabilitation packages for the affected families.
Officials accompanying the delegation also took stock of damage to property and infrastructure, noting areas that require urgent restoration.
The visit comes days after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire understanding on May 10, bringing a temporary halt to days of intense shelling along the Line of Control. However, border dwellers remain wary, citing repeated violations in the past. [KNT]
