Pakistan-controlled Chakthi and nearby villages along Kashmir’s Line of Control (LoC) face mounting fear. Residents, haunted by recent clashes construct bunkers to shield families from potential attacks.

“We won’t start war, but if attacked, we’ll defend our land, even as martyrs, Inshallah,” said a Chakthi local. Villagers stand with Pakistan’s army, seeking only safe shelters for children.

A deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, killed 26 tourists, sparking blame. India accuses Pakistan of orchestrating terrorism; Islamabad denies, citing intelligence of possible Indian military incursions.

Nine days of cross-border firing between Indian and Pakistani troops intensify unrest. Both nations flex military might—Pakistan tested its Abdali ballistic missile May 3, while India conducted missile drills April 27.

In Chakthi, flimsy tin homes offer no protection against artillery. Bunkers, dug deep, provide safety. “War or not, we’ll keep families in bunkers,” a resident said, emphasizing solidarity with Pakistan’s military.

Other border villages mirror efforts, preparing for worst amid a tense, eerie calm in Kashmir’s mountainous terrain.

Read more: Pakistan Tests Ballistic Missile Amid Kashmir Tensions, Warns India Over Indus Water

Thmthm atmosphere prevails as India suspends Indus Waters Treaty and bans Pakistani goods, with Pakistan retaliating. UN Security Council, led by Greece, may discuss crisis soon. Locals, caught in crossfire, prioritize survival, their bunkers a stark symbol of fear and resilience.