Is the Pain of Those Affected by Pak Shelling Personal to Omar Abdullah?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Omar Abdullah visited shelling-affected areas to assess damage.
- He pledged support for rebuilding homes for victims.
- Individual bunkers are being advocated for enhanced safety.
- The recent shelling was described as intentional targeting of civilians.
- Community resilience was highlighted despite the tragedy.
Srinagar, May 14 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, made a visit on Wednesday to the regions in Uri impacted by Pakistani shelling. He pledged to provide all necessary assistance for the reconstruction of homes for the affected families, emphasizing that the suffering of his people is profoundly personal to him.
Abdullah toured the areas hit by the shelling in Uri, specifically Salamabad, Lagama, Bandi, and Gingal in the Baramulla district.
He stated that he would advocate for the construction of individual bunkers in these regions with the central government.
While engaging with the victims, the Chief Minister expressed, “It is our duty to extend governmental support so that your homes can be rebuilt.”
Accompanying him were Nasir Aslam Wani, an advisor to the Chief Minister, and Sajad Shafi, MLA Uri.
“Visited the shelling-affected regions of Uri including Salamabad, Lagama, Bandi, and Gingal. This land has faced so much—from the devastation of the 2005 earthquake to the anguish of cross-border shelling. Yet, its inhabitants rise each time, filled with courage and resilience,” Abdullah shared on X.
Earlier, he remarked on X: “I’m heading to Uri today to connect with those impacted by the recent shelling. In recent days, I’ve witnessed profound pain, loss, and the incredible bravery of our people. These visits should be about celebrating joy and discussing development, not extending condolences. The suffering of my people is a deeply personal matter.”
Speaking to reporters in Uri, he noted that during the shelling from Pakistan, there appeared to be a “deliberate effort” to cause maximum harm to civilians.
“There was intense shelling on our civilian areas for 2-3 days. It seemed to be a calculated move from across the border to inflict maximum damage on civilians. Thankfully, a ceasefire was established, and the border and LoC have been quiet for the past two days,” he stated.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the government is now working to reach out to all households that have experienced losses.
“We are currently evaluating the damage and will provide aid to help them restore their lives,” he added.
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister reiterated his intention to discuss the need for individual bunkers in the shelling-affected areas with the central government.
“Everywhere I’ve been, whether in Jammu or Kashmir, there is a call for more bunkers. The community feels that the situation could escalate at any moment, hence their demand for individual bunkers. Our immediate priority will be to provide assistance to the people and subsequently address the issue of individual bunkers with the Centre under a comprehensive plan for all affected areas,” he elaborated.
When asked if anyone benefited from the cross-border shelling, Omar remarked that this question should be directed at those who have lost loved ones.
“What benefit? I’ve made it clear from the beginning that we did not initiate this conflict. Our innocent civilians were targeted in Pahalgam... 26 precious lives were lost. I stated that if the guns ceased on that side, then the guns on this side would also fall silent. Fortunately, the DGMO from the other side reached out, and the ceasefire was achieved, leading to tranquility on the border and LoC,” he added.
During his visit, Omar Abdullah also paid respects to the family of Nargis Begum, who lost her life in the shelling.
“I met with the family of Nargis Begum, who tragically lost her life in the recent shelling in Uri. Words cannot convey the depth of their sorrow or the scale of this tragedy. I pray they find the strength to endure this irreparable loss. We stand with them during this difficult time,” the Chief Minister expressed on X.