SRINAGAR: In an extraordinary display of courage and coordination amid a severe humanitarian crisis, a control room established at the Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Uri successfully evacuated nearly 15,000 people from shelling-affected areas within just 48 hours.
The emergency response came into action on May 7, 2025, as intense cross-border shelling pushed thousands of residents in the Uri Sub-Division into immediate danger. Under the direct supervision of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Uri, a 24×7 Emergency Control Room was activated at GHSS Uri, turning the school campus into the nerve centre of a critical civil defence operation.
A dedicated team of officials—Javid Gani Banday, Aijaz Ahmad Lone, Javed Iqbal Budoo, Aftab Ahmad Kakroo, Aijaz Ahmad Chalkoo, and Mohammad Iqbal Banday—took charge of the round-the-clock response. Working in close coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police official Yasir, who remained stationed at the Control Room throughout, the team managed distress calls, dispatched rescue units, and facilitated large-scale evacuations under conditions of extreme stress and uncertainty.
Amid the echo of shellfire and mounting fear, the control room operated without pause. Thousands of desperate calls poured in from high-risk villages, with families pleading for rescue. The team responded with professionalism and resolve, ensuring that vulnerable populations—including women, children, and the elderly—were moved to safer locations with urgency and care.
Over a span of 48 hours, the Control Room facilitated the evacuation of approximately 15,000 people. The swift and systematic response was made possible by seamless inter-departmental coordination, with assistance from revenue officials, police, health personnel, civil defence units, and local volunteers. Together, they formed a lifeline for communities caught in the crossfire.
“The entire operation was guided not by a desire for recognition, but by an unwavering commitment to protect lives,” an official said. “Every person involved worked in complete unity, often in the shadow of danger.”
Officials at the District and Sub-Divisional levels remained on high alert throughout the crisis, ensuring that strategic decisions were executed quickly and resources deployed efficiently. Community stakeholders and local volunteers also played a key role in bolstering the administration’s efforts.
As the situation in Uri gradually stabilises, the people of the region are expressing deep gratitude for what many are calling a model example of responsive governance during conflict. In the face of destruction, the control room at GHSS Uri became a beacon of hope and humanity.
