According to locals, three community bunkers in Chorwan are currently sheltering around 600 people each; some families have access to private bunkers.
Late Thursday night, rounds of shelling were reportedly heard in Chorwan, the last Indian village along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Gurez sector of North Kashmir. Electricity was cut off, and terrified residents took shelter in underground bunkers as fresh tensions flared between India and Pakistan.
“I was on a call with my family around 9 PM when I suddenly heard loud firing. People immediately rushed to the bunkers,” said Zakir Lone, a 25-year-old resident of Chorwan.
According to locals, three community bunkers in Chorwan are currently sheltering around 600 people each; some families have access to private bunkers. Women were seen crying and clutching their children in fear. Many households skipped dinner, being too frightened to cook or eat.
“There was chaos. No one knew what was happening. We were scared and confused,” Zakir added.
He managed to briefly calm his family in Bandipora with a video call once the firing paused. “I showed them we were okay. That helped ease their fears,” he said.
In Dawar, the main town in Gurez, residents also reported hearing the shelling and sought safety in bunkers. Nazir Ahmed Khan, National Conference's MLA for Gurez visted the area to inspect the situation and arrangements. He added that the communities have not been affected by shelling yet.
“We heard the sound of shelling and ran to safety. Thankfully, there haven’t been any more rounds since,” said a Dawar resident.
Considering the escalating tensions along the border, Gurez MLA Nazir Gurezi visited the Bagtore area to assess the situation and express solidarity with affected communities.
The atmosphere remains tense as the fresh rounds of overnight shelling haunt the valley. There is deepening uncertainty in this remote Himalayan region as several rounds of fire were exchanged around 1 AM before the sounds finally stopped.
Residents across several villages in Gurez confirmed that the shelling ceased after 2 a.m.
“People stayed in bunkers overnight, frightened, waiting for dawn,” a Dawar resident said. “Some of us managed to sleep. Others couldn’t close their eyes.”
With daylight breaking, many locals are planning to flee. "I've just locked up my house. I'll leave as soon as I get the chance,"” said Shahid Kaloo, 24, whose family has already relocated to a safer area in Bandipora.
The Gurez sector of the Line of Control is one of the most strategic and sensitive frontiers between India and Pakistan. During the Kargil War and in the years that followed, the region withstood the worst of heavy shelling and frequent ceasefire violations.
(Ishtayaq Rasool is a freelance journalist from the Dard-Shin community in Gurez.)