Fazilka, May 8: Panic gripped villages along the International Border in Punjab as residents began moving to safer areas following India’s pre-dawn strike on terror infrastructure across the border on Wednesday.
Though Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma urged people not to panic and clarified that no evacuation order had been issued, several villagers were seen shifting with their families and valuables from border hamlets including Tendi Wala, Kalu Wala, Gatti Rajo Ke, Jhugge Hazara, and Jallo Ke.
“The administration is fully prepared and senior officials have been sent to counsel villagers,” Sharma said.
Kakku Singh, 63, of Bhambha Haji village, said he was taking his daughters and their families from Kaluwala village to his home, worried about their safety. “Kaluwala is surrounded by the Sutlej and Pakistan. I got scared after hearing the news of the strike,” he said.
Pachho Bai of Tendi Wala, just 2 km from the border, was packing with her daughter-in-law. “My husband and son are at work. We’re going to stay with relatives,” she said.
Ranjit Singh of Gatti Rajo Ke said his wife urged him to move their children to Ali Ke village. “Most villagers are either leaving or sending family members to safer places.”
Still, some residents chose to stay. “We are ready to support our soldiers as the first line of defence,” said Surjeet Singh of Tendi Wala.
In Fazilka’s Pakka Chisti village, octogenarian Ojha Singh recalled the 1965 and 1971 wars. “In 1971, we fled for our lives. About 20 villagers were taken captive by Pakistan in 1965,” he said.
Former Mohar Jamsher sarpanch Hansa Singh added that many had already moved their valuables while awaiting official instructions.
