Amid rising tensions and ‘midnight prank by youths', villagers in Tindiwala along Pakistan border begin relocating families

Indian Express

07-05-2025

Following a midnight prank and the rollout of Operation Sindoor, many residents of Tindiwala, the last Indian village along the Pakistan border in Ferozepur district, have decided to move to safer locations. The village, situated on the banks of the Sutlej River, witnessed chaos after a few local youngsters allegedly burst high-intensity crackers late into the night.
Parkash Singh, a resident of Tindiwala, said the entire village – which has over 700 voters – rushed out of their homes hearing the loud bursts, thinking that something serious had happened. 'Later, we found out it was just a prank. But when we saw the news on television regarding Operation Sindoor, we decided not to take any chances. I'm sending my wife and children to our relatives' house,' he said.
'They are carrying bedding, clothes, dry ration, and vegetables. We don't want to burden anyone. We live hand-to-mouth here,' Parkash said, adding, 'The parents of the pranksters appeared to be sorry for their actions.'
Under Operation Sindoor, launched hours ago, India hit nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting terrorist infrastructure there in a strike that comes a fortnight after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.
Binder Singh, another villager, said the villages on the other side of the border were already vacated. 'We don't see any activity towards that side. That is even more alarming. We have seen what happened here in 1965 and 1971 when this area was taken over by Pakistan and later returned. All our houses were looted. I have already sent 70 quintals of wheat and basic necessities with my family. I am staying back to tend to the cattle. After last night's scare, I can't risk leaving the house unattended,' Binder added.
Karamjit Singh, Mitha Singh, and Ajit Singh have also sent their families away, choosing to remain behind to protect their homes and livestock. Jaila Singh shared that he shifted his family to a relative's home about 20 km away.
'Some are using boats, others are using tractor trolleys, whatever suits them,' said Parkash. 'Binder and I are using a boat to shift our families. With schools shut in border districts today, children are at home. What more indication do we need to act?'
Sources revealed that many villagers in the Zero Line area along the border with Pakistan have sent their families away. The Gatti Rajoke area has around 12 villages along the Zero Line, and in each village, at least 10 households have sent some of their members to safe places. Over the past week, just a few of them had been doing this quietly, reliable sources from the villages said, adding that the atmosphere has changed now and the reaction remains to be seen.
In nearby Habibke village, also situated along the Sutlej in Ferozepur district, the mood is more resigned than reactive. 'Most of us here have no place to go. If the administration sets up relief camps, I'm sure many will leave. Not everyone has relatives away from the Zero Line,' said Rajinder Singh, a resident. 'In 1971, this area went to Pakistan for a while before being returned. We don't know what lies ahead.'
He added, 'We don't see much Army or BSF movement. It is all very normal here, so we feel safe on the surface, but anxiety is high. We have nothing to lose, so we are staying put for now.'
Even villages along the Zero Line in Fazilka district have started following suit. There are nearly 50 such villages directly along the border, and the movement of people shifting valuables began soon after India's midnight strike under Operation Sindoor, said Paramjit Singh, a resident of Pacca Chisti village in Fazilka.
'I'm shifting my agricultural implements, car, valuables, gold, and cash to another house I own in Fazilka, which is about 10 km from our village. Women and children will move later this evening if the situation demands,' he said.
Paramjit added, 'Even Fazilka does not feel completely safe, so some of our belongings will be sent to a relative's place in Abohar. We are taking whatever precautions we can.'