The reports of “surgical strike” along the line of Control (loC) created panic in the border villages and people across the Valley began discussions on the prospect of a full-fledged war breaking out between India and Pakistan. However, the cross-loC trade that resumed after more than two months earlier this week at Uri went ahead smoothly.

Mukhtar Ahmad, a resident of Uri town said the news about Indian Army’s operation on the loC instantly became a cause of concern for the people living in the border town where 11 days earlier 18 soldiers and four militants were killed in a deadly strike at a brigade headquarters.  “Everyone was discussing the news but we did not see any extraordinary Army movement in the area,” he said on phone from the area.

“There is some fear among the residents but the overall situation is calm. The residents have not moved from the villages closer to the loC,” Sub-Divisional Magistrate Uri Showkat Rather said.

Interestingly, the cross-loC trade went on smoothly in the area. “The trucks with merchandise crossed smoothly at Kaman Post. All the trucks were scanned,” Farooq Ahmad Shah, custodian of the trade facilitation center Salamabad said. He expected the trade activity would continue smoothly on Friday.

The reports of uneasy calm have come from Tangdhar, Karnah, Gurez, lolab and Nowgam areas along the loC. 

The “surgical strike” was the main topic of discussion throughout the Valley on Thursday. Many people remained glued to TV channels to get the latest updates. “It is good if India and Pakistan go for war. It may change the situation for Kashmiris. We are already living in a state of war,” Mushtaq Ahmad, a political functionary told The Pioneer.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people offered prayers for the two Pakistani soldiers killed in the surgical strike, at Jamia Masjid area in old Srinagar. Police later dispersed the people who took part in the prayers.