Jammu, India – Explosions lit up the night sky over Jammu on Thursday as suspected Pakistani drone and missile attacks targeted military installations in the region, according to Indian officials. The strikes marked the second day of escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan, threatening to push the nuclear-armed neighbors toward a deeper conflict.
Witnesses reported sustained blasts and sirens over a 2.5-hour period across the city, with streaks of red and flashes illuminating the sky. Indian military sources said the attacks appeared to originate from across the border and were aimed at multiple strategic sites in and around Jammu.
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The recent escalation follows a series of clashes in the disputed region of Kashmir, prompting international alarm. Global powers including the United States, China, and Russia have urged both sides to exercise restraint in one of the world’s most volatile flashpoints.
“Fear has entered my heart,” said Devi, a 50-year-old daily wage laborer who had recently arrived from Bihar with 15 family members to work in Akhnoor, a village near Jammu. “If this doesn’t end soon, we’ll have to leave. We just want to survive.”
Mass Evacuations and Emergency Shelters
To protect civilians, Indian authorities evacuated hundreds from two border villages on Wednesday, relocating them to a government college roughly 20 kilometers from the frontier. Classrooms have been converted into dormitories equipped with thin mattresses, basic meals, and access to two medical doctors assigned to the facility.
“The day before, we heard gunshots for over an hour at midnight, and then again at 4 a.m.,” said Pratima Devi, another evacuee. “I couldn’t sleep at all. But here at the college, I finally slept peacefully.”
Nearby, a Hindu spiritual center has also been repurposed as a shelter, primarily hosting women and children.
“We’ve been moved here because the border area is dangerous. Now I feel safe,” said Sameer Pawar, 11, speaking in English.
Life on Hold Amid Uncertainty
Most evacuees are farmers or daily laborers earning less than $60 per month. Many now face the possibility of prolonged displacement as tensions remain high.
India has not officially confirmed casualties from the latest attacks, but the deployment of additional troops and defense systems to the region suggests growing concerns of a protracted standoff.
Meanwhile, calls for peace are growing louder. Humanitarian organizations have urged both governments to prioritize civilian safety and diplomatic solutions.
As the region watches closely, the people of Jammu — many displaced and fearful — are left to endure the uncertainty of a conflict they had no part in starting.
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