Jammu, May 10 – Panic gripped the residents of Jammu city early Saturday as a wave of explosions shattered the pre-dawn calm, following heavy mortar shelling and drone strikes allegedly carried out by Pakistan. The coordinated assault struck six locations in the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, marking one of the most severe attacks on civilians in recent memory.
Rehari Colony Worst-Hit in Pre-Dawn Carnage
Among the areas worst affected was Rehari Colony, a densely populated neighbourhood where a mortar shell tore through the house of Gulshan Dutta. The blast left the structure in ruins and damaged multiple vehicles nearby. Although one person was injured, the family had a narrow escape.“We woke up to sirens blaring and rushed downstairs. Just moments later, a massive blast rocked our house,” said Dutta’s wife. “The sirens saved our lives. If we hadn’t moved, we wouldn’t be here. Mata Rani protected us.”
The aftermath resembled a war zone—shattered windows, twisted metal, splintered concrete, and debris-strewn streets. Dutta recounted the terrifying moment the explosion struck: “Our entire house trembled. We thought it was the end.”
Temple Narrowly Spared as Devotees Watch in Horror
Another shell reportedly targeted the Aap Shambhu temple, but miraculously landed near an isolated house instead. The incident occurred just as devotees began arriving for morning prayers.“We had come for our morning rituals when a loud explosion shattered the silence. Debris flew everywhere,” recalled Sudesh Kumar, a devotee. “Had it happened later, dozens could have been killed.”
Widespread Damage Across Neighbourhoods
In Janipur, a shell punched through the roof of a home, though no injuries were reported as the family had relocated due to rising tensions. Hazuribagh and Talab Tillo residents reported a sleepless night due to drone alerts and the subsequent explosions.“There is fear now... people feel unsafe even in their own homes,” said Omkar Singh from Jainpur. Shakuntala Devi of Hazuribagh added, “They are targeting civilians. When they can’t face our army, they try to break our spirit by hitting innocents.”
Despite the widespread fear, residents showed resilience and defiance. Kartar Chand, who works at a warehouse near a commercial hub, witnessed a shell explode nearby. “We are not afraid. Pakistan must be made to pay for this. They cannot keep sponsoring terror in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Attack Recalls Memories of 1971 War
For some, the scale of destruction evoked haunting memories of the past. Devi Sharan Gupta from Talab Tillo said, “I haven’t seen anything like this in Jammu since the 1971 war. This kind of deliberate targeting of civilians is unprecedented.”On Friday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the assault, calling it “the worst targeting of civilians in Jammu city since 1971.”
