Karnah Kupwara: On the direction of Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan, the Karnah administration carried out extensive inspections in Tangdar and Teetwal blocks to address the growing demand for community and individual bunkers in the region. Three separate teams, led by SDM Karnah Zaffar Ahmad Lone, Tehsildar Karnah Mohd Amin Bhat, and Naib Tehsildar Teetwal Block, interacted with local residents to assess their needs and gather consent for land allocation.
Each team included concerned Patwaris, RDD Junior Engineers, Village Level Workers, and Lambardars, ensuring a comprehensive survey at the grassroots level. Speaking to our correspondent, SDM Karnah Zaffar Ahmad Lone stated, “We are reaching the village level and inspecting land for bunker construction. After receiving 100% consent from the landowners, we proceed with name registration. Our aim is to ensure that every needy family gets a bunker as demanded by the community.”
The initiative comes in the wake of recent ceasefire violations along the Karnah border tehsil. Many houses were gutted, shops were damaged, and vehicles destroyed due to heavy mortar shelling. For years, residents of Karnah had almost forgotten the horrors of shelling, but the situation escalated following Mission Sandoor, where India targeted terrorist buildings in Pakistan. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Mission Bunyan al-Marsus, causing significant damage to properties along the Karnah border.
The renewed threat has sparked widespread demand for bunkers, with families fearing for their safety amid unpredictable cross-border tensions. The government, under the directive of DC Kupwara, is actively working to fulfill this demand, ensuring that vulnerable households are provided with adequate safety measures. The inspections mark a proactive step towards strengthening security for border residents, reflecting the administration’s commitment to addressing local concerns.