Is Fear Taking Over Punjab's Border Villages as Tensions Rise with Pakistan?

Amritsar, April 28 (NationPress) A prevailing sense of fear hangs over the border villages in Gurdaspur, Punjab, where security personnel are frequently urging residents to remain vigilant and to avoid approaching the border with Pakistan.

With Pakistan's ongoing attempts to promote cross-border terrorism, anxieties have escalated between the two nations, leaving those in border regions deeply concerned about potential conflict.

Worried for their safety and livelihoods, the inhabitants of Gurdaspur emphasize that any war would only result in the loss of numerous innocent lives. In light of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, residents expressed increasing apprehension regarding the current conflict-like atmosphere.

A villager shared with the media, "The Pahalgam terror attack was tragic, claiming many lives. It is utterly condemnable. Following that incident, announcements in the village Gurudwara have urged residents to stay alert, with the youth being advised to keep watch at night and to avoid any movement nearby. Any activity must be reported immediately to the police and BSF."

"What happened in Pahalgam is unacceptable. However, if war breaks out, we will suffer immensely; where will we take our children and animals? The BSF personnel visited our village, advising us to remain vigilant and to hasten the harvesting of crops near the border. Daily announcements continue, warning of potential loss of life in the event of war," another villager remarked.

Another resident echoed these sentiments, stating, "When war occurs, there is no safe haven for us. The losses are substantial. We have endured enough wars and wish to avoid another. Although the government claims to assist border villages post-war, we see no benefits."

Another villager expressed similar fears, noting, "It’s not just our losses; many soldiers also lose their lives in conflicts. Recently, a BSF soldier narrowly escaped an IED explosion, and a girl from our village was also endangered by an IED. We do not desire war."

Tensions have intensified following the killing of 26 innocent civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, by LeT terrorists on April 22 in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, with Pakistan alleged to be behind the attack.

The nation reacted with outrage to this heinous act, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the terrorists and their supporters would be pursued relentlessly.

In response, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, announced a series of strict measures.

These measures include suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border, canceling the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, expelling military attaches from New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at both High Commissions.