Decision to flee for safety turns into tragedy for Uri family

Baramulla, May 9: It was around 8:30pm on Thursday when a loud bang was heard in the Razarwani area of Uri sector in Baramulla district, leaving the residents in a state of trauma. In haste, the family of Basheer Ahmad Khan decided to flee for safety, lest he knew that this would turn out to be the last journey of his wife.

"I would not have stepped out of my house had I known my wife would lose her life. We were running for safety but it turned into a tragedy for my family," said Basheer Ahmad Khan.

Nargis Begum, wife of Basheer Ahmad Khan from Razarwani Uri lost her life when the shell hit their car (Scorpio), they were travelling in towards Baramulla for safety. "This shell hit exactly on top of the car where, in line with it, my wife was sitting inside on the seat. The other two people who were injured are now admitted at GMC Baramulla for treatment," Khan said.

The condition of both the injured is stable. Khan while pointing towards the splinters of the shell, said it hit the car which created a loud bang. "We were in shock and immediately after the bang I saw my wife bleeding profusely," he said. Khan recollected that they had almost travelled four to five kilometers from their residence (Near Power House in Razarwani) but their vehicle still came under attack.

"There were nine people travelling in the car. But my wife lost her life," says Khan in regret as to why he left the house. “I never knew that the decision to flee for safety would turn into the last journey for my wife," he said.

Basheer Khan has six children including four daughters and two sons. The marriage of one of the daughters is scheduled next month. "But the family is in complete shock. We are all uncertain  about the future," said Muhammad Aslam, brother of Nargis. After the overnight shelling across the border, the residents of several border villages in Uri have left their houses and other belongings and shifted to the main town Baramulla and other safer places, far away from their native villages. The villages wore a deserted look with families clutching whatever they can carry with them while leaving from their houses.

The bangs of overnight intense shelling still haunt the villagers while children are seen crying while being carried on the shoulders of their elders. Amid this, the youth have come forward for the people of Uri.

A young entrepreneur from Baramulla town who runs a restaurant offered free food to the residents of Uri fleeing towards the town.

"Any Uri resident who wants free food. My restaurant Rose Avenue  opposite JK Bank TP Baramulla, is open for you. It is all yours. You give us business the whole year. It is our responsibility this time to pay back. I can also accommodate a small family free of cost. We love you," Junaid wrote in his Facebook post.

Another youngster from Drangbal Baramulla announced to accommodate over 20 people at his home "free of cost." Such initiatives set the ball rolling and locals from Baramulla town and nearby areas came forward offering shelter and food to the Uri residents. The locals opened masjids and madrasas for the Uri residents who are fleeing from their native villages for safety amid the escalating tension on borders between India and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, J&K Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha visited the border areas affected due to the cross border shelling and interacted with the families and youth as well. During his interaction with the youth, LG asked them to make temporary bunkers amid the prevailing circumstances and also asked the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa to arrange transport facilities for the people of Uri.