As Poonch continues to be battered, Pakistan’s shelling reaches Surankote. ‘The last time was in 1971’

On the intervening night of 9 and 10 May, the shelling shook the entire town of Surankote, which residents described as 'unexpected'.

A house damaged by shelling in Surankote in Poonch | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Surankote, Poonch: It started at 11:30 pm, when Shameen Akhtar heard a loud explosion. The windows began rattling and the building was shaking.

Akhtar switched off the lights and rushed her family of eight into the underground room of their home. Her night passed in prayers, her children huddled close.

“This is happening for the first time in Surankote. The last time was in 1971. There have been incidents of militancy, but never anything like this,” said Akhtar, adjusting her shawl.

The intervening night of 9 and 10 May saw over a dozen artillery rounds in what locals had considered the “safer zone” of Poonch district—Surankote.

One shell landed in the main city market, while another struck a house, injuring a minor girl. She was rushed to the hospital and treated for her injuries.

“Yes, there has been artillery fire, and one minor girl was injured,” said a senior police officer, requesting anonymity.

Residents look at a structure damaged by shelling in Surankote | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

The shelling shook the entire town of Surankote, which residents described as “unexpected”. Surankote lies just 25 km from the Poonch block, which has been reeling under intense shelling, resulting in several deaths.

Several residents of Poonch had sought refuge with relatives in Surankote. But the blasts Friday night have forced many to search for other options.

Intervening night of 9 and 10 May saw over a dozen artillery rounds in what locals had considered the ‘safer zone’ of Poonch district | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

“I came to Surankote from Poonch because I was told it’s safe and nothing like this has ever happened here,” said Ghulam, a worker from Jammu, currently based in Poonch.

Another family staying in Surankote said they have now run out of safe places. “Where will we go? Rajouri is facing massive shelling. Jammu is also unsafe,” said Ravi, who has come to Surankote from Poonch to seek refuge.

The adjoining district of Rajouri also witnessed heavy shelling that led to three deaths, including that of an Additional District Commissioner.

Surankote lies just 25 km from Poonch block, which has been reeling under intense shelling, resulting in several deaths | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

The escalation between the Indian and Pakistani armies has put the entire Jammu province in the crossfire.

“We want this to end. We’re just one shell away from death,” said Akhtar’s teenage son, before she scolded him for speaking that way.

“Pray to Allah! He is with us,” she said, placing her hand gently over his face.

(Edited by Sugita Katyal)