Daijiworld Media Network- Amritsar

Amritsar, Apr 28: An atmosphere of unease and fear has taken hold in the border villages of Gurdaspur, Punjab, as heightened tensions between India and Pakistan continue to simmer. Security officials have been making frequent announcements urging villagers to remain vigilant and avoid venturing too close to the Pakistan border. The recent surge in cross-border terrorism, backed by Pakistan, has intensified the worries of the residents, with many fearing the outbreak of war.

Locals in Gurdaspur, especially in the border villages, have voiced their concerns over the dangerous situation. They stressed that any conflict would lead to the loss of countless innocent lives, exacerbating the already tense atmosphere in the region. The residents expressed their outrage and deep unease over the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including 25 tourists and a local, and served as a stark reminder of the fragile security situation.

A villager from Gurdaspur, speaking to the media, condemned the Pahalgam attack, calling it "highly condemnable" and urging caution. "The announcements are being made in our Gurudwara Sahib urging the people of the village to stay alert. The youth are being asked to keep watch, especially at night, and there should be no movement near the border. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the police and BSF immediately," he said.

He further expressed the villagers' concerns, adding, "If a war breaks out, we will suffer immensely. We have no place to go with our children and livestock. The BSF had instructed us to harvest the crops quickly, as they were worried about the growing tensions. Every day, we hear the same warnings. If war does break out, many innocent lives will be lost."

Many residents voiced similar sentiments, sharing their traumatic experiences of past wars. "We have seen wars, and we don’t want to see another. The government claims to have provided relief after past conflicts, but we don't see any tangible benefits. We are left to face the consequences," said another villager. The ongoing fears of cross-border attacks, especially with the increasing presence of mines and IEDs, have deepened the sense of vulnerability among the villagers.

One villager recalled the narrow escape of a BSF soldier who almost stepped on an IED, adding, "Recently, a BSF soldier narrowly escaped death after almost stepping on an IED. A young girl from the village was also nearly killed in the same manner. We don’t want war; it brings nothing but pain."

The fears of these villagers are further fueled by the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, allegedly sponsored by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. The massacre, which occurred on April 22, has drawn widespread condemnation across the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first reaction to the attack, vowed to hunt down the terrorists, their handlers, and their backers, saying, "They will be chased to the ends of the earth."

In response to the attack, the Indian government has taken stern measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border, and expelling Pakistan’s military attaches from New Delhi. The government has also announced a reduction in diplomatic staff at both High Commissions and the cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals.

As the situation remains tense along the Punjab border, the people of Gurdaspur are left with a sense of helplessness and growing fear for their lives and livelihoods. The ongoing security measures offer little solace, as the possibility of war looms large, and the innocent villagers continue to pray for peace.