SRINAGAR: As part of his continued outreach to communities affected by cross-border shelling, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today visited the Karnah border sub-division in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district to assess the ground situation and interact with families living under the shadow of shelling.
Accompanied by Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Trehgam Mir Saifullah, MLA Sogam Qaiser Jamshed Lone, MLA Karnah Javaid Mirchal, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Ayushi Sudan, SSP Kupwara Ghulam Jeelani Wani, and other senior officials, the Chief Minister undertook an extensive tour of several villages, including Tangdhar, Hajinard, Nachiyan, Shamspora, Baghbela, Batpora, and Tarboni.
The visit focused on understanding the scale of damage to residential properties and hearing the concerns of residents whose lives have been disrupted by recurrent cross-border hostilities. Addressing the villagers, Omar Abdullah commended their courage in the face of repeated adversity.
“The affected families have shown remarkable courage in the face of adversity. Their resilience is inspiring. The government stands shoulder to shoulder with them. Their pain will not go unnoticed, and every possible step will be taken to help them rebuild their lives with dignity and renewed hope,” the Chief Minister said.
He assured the local population that relief and rehabilitation of the affected families would remain a top priority for the government. Emphasis was laid on prompt administrative support and long-term measures to ensure security and stability for residents in the vulnerable border belt.
In Tangdhar, the Chief Minister also visited the Sub-District Hospital to review medical infrastructure and services available in the remote area. Touring the Outpatient and Inpatient Units, Gynaecology Section, Operation Theatre, Ultrasonography, and X-Ray facilities, he interacted with doctors and medical staff, urging them to provide dedicated and compassionate care. He also held conversations with patients and attendants to directly gauge the quality of services.
Speaking to the media during his visit, Omar Abdullah underlined the purpose of his tour, stating that it was aimed at a firsthand assessment of the situation on the ground.
“I came here personally to witness the damage caused by shelling and to assure the people that adequate help will be extended to them. Relief and rehabilitation are not just administrative obligations—they are moral responsibilities,” he said.
Inspecting community bunkers that have served as vital shelters during cross-border escalation, the Chief Minister acknowledged their importance. “These structures are a lifeline during times of escalation. We will ensure the construction of additional bunkers to safeguard our people living in vulnerable areas,” he said, adding that his government would take up the matter of constructing individual bunkers with the Union Government.
During the visit, Omar Abdullah also reviewed the status of the Hydel Power Project at Gundi Shart. The project, which has seen delays due to recent hostilities, was inspected for progress and damage assessment. The Chief Minister assured that the project would be completed within its scheduled timeline and that power infrastructure development in the border region would not be allowed to suffer.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Atal Dullo on Tuesday visited Kalsian panchayat in Tehsil Nowshera, close to the Line of Control, where several houses have been damaged in recent cross-border shelling.
During the visit, Dullo met with affected residents and assured them of all possible support from the administration. Expressing solidarity with the locals, he underlined the government’s commitment to their safety and welfare in the face of continued hostilities along the border.
The Chief Secretary later visited the Government Medical College (GMC) in Rajouri, where he interacted with patients, including those injured in the shelling. He instructed the Principal of GMC to ensure the best possible medical care and reviewed the hospital’s overall functioning.
He also assessed the availability and condition of bunkers in border areas, calling for the construction of new ones wherever required. Dullo stressed the need for high-quality standards in all such protective infrastructure to safeguard civilian lives.
During the visit, he discussed the challenges faced by the district administration and assured necessary support from higher authorities. He praised the local administration for its swift and coordinated response to the shelling incidents.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma briefed the Chief Secretary on the district’s civil defence preparedness. A comprehensive review of 12 essential services was conducted, including Warden Service, Rescue, Casualty, Firefighting, Transport, Survey Committee, Supply Services, Welfare, Headquarters, Communication, Disposal, and Training Services.
The meeting was attended by DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range Tejinder Singh, SSP Rajouri Gaurav Sikarwar, ADC Kotranka Dilmir, ADC Rajouri Chander Prakash, ACR Mohammad Jahangir, ACP Sheraz Chouhan, Deputy Director Employment Mohammad Nawaz, ACD Auqil Naveed, and other senior district and sectoral officers.
