In the aftermath of deadly cross-border shelling by Pakistan that killed several civilians and damaged close to 2,000 structures earlier this month, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated the construction of more individual and community bunkers for residents living in vulnerable areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Home Ministry has taken serious note of the vulnerability of our border residents. The process of constructing more bunkers—both individual and community-based—is already underway. The local administration has begun implementing the project, and people in border villages have expressed their gratitude to the government,” BJP senior leader Sunil Sharma, said while addressing media at the BJP headquarters in Jammu, as per news agency KINS.
The Pakistani shelling began after Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 innocent lives, mostly of tourists.
Sunil Sharma described the cross-border operation as “precise and targeted,” stating it sent a strong message to Pakistan.
However, he added, Pakistan responded by shelling civilian areas in Poonch, Rajouri, Uri, and Jammu, causing mass destruction and terror among locals.
Sunil Sharma led a fact-finding team to assess the damage in affected areas. The team, which included senior party leaders and former ministers, visited villages and border belts in Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts, many of which bore the brunt of the shelling that began on May 7—a day after India carried out Operation Sindoor, a targeted strike against terror infrastructure across the border.
The BJP delegation visited the worst-hit areas including Hiranagar, Suchetgarh, Arnia, R.S. Pura, Chamb, Planwala, Akhnoor, Nowshera, Mendhar, and Surankote, and in North Kashmir, Uri and Tangdhar.
“Despite facing tragedy and destruction, the border residents showed remarkable resilience and courage. What was most heartening was their confidence in the Indian Army and their satisfaction that Pakistan had been given a fitting reply,” Sharma added.
Sharma assured that comprehensive rehabilitation measures are underway. Apart from bunker construction, he said that the Centre has granted compensation per deceased civilian.
The J&K Government has announced an additional ₹10 lakh ex-gratia for each family.
The next of kin will receive a government job, with case files already submitted to the General Administration Department.
The construction of more underground bunkers is being viewed as a lifesaving measure for residents who have lived under constant threat of cross-border firing for decades. These bunkers are designed to provide immediate shelter during shelling incidents and are being built close to residential clusters for accessibility.
Residents in many areas have already begun to see initial work on these structures and have welcomed the move, saying it would greatly reduce fear and uncertainty during times of conflict.
“We are thankful to Prime Minister Modi ji and Home Minister Amit Shah ji for thinking about us. For the first time, we feel seen, heard, and protected,” said a resident from Poonch, one of the worst-hit border districts.(KINS)
