Latest news with #Baramulla
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Modi inaugurates ambitious rail project connecting Kashmir to Indian plains
NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated one of the most ambitious railway projects ever built in India, which will connect the Kashmir Valley to the vast Indian plains by train for the first time. Dubbed by government-operated Indian Railways as one of the most challenging tracks in the world, the 272-kilometer (169-mile) line begins in the garrison city of Udhampur in Jammu region and runs through Indian-controlled Kashmir's main city of Srinagar. The line ends in Baramulla, a town near the highly militarized Line of Control dividing the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Modi inaugurates ambitious rail project connecting Kashmir to Indian plains
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated one of the most ambitious railway projects ever built in India, which will connect the Kashmir Valley to the vast Indian plains by train for the first time. Dubbed by government-operated Indian Railways as one of the most challenging tracks in the world, the 272-kilometer (169-mile) line begins in the garrison city of Udhampur in Jammu region and runs through Indian-controlled Kashmir's main city of Srinagar. The line ends in Baramulla, a town near the highly militarized Line of Control dividing the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan. The line travels through 36 tunnels and over 943 bridges. The Indian government pegged the total project cost at around $5 billion. Modi travelled to Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday for the first time since a military conflict between India and Pakistan brought the nuclear-armed rivals to the brink of their third war over the region last month, when the countries fired missiles and drones at each other. The conflict began with a gun massacre in late April that left 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists, dead in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the attackers, a charge Islamabad denied. The railway project is considered crucial to boosting tourism and bringing development to a region that has been marred by militancy and protests over the years. The line is expected to ease the movement of Indian troops and the public to the disputed region, which is currently connected by flights and mountain roads that are prone to landslides. India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi's rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels' goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, a charge Islamabad denies. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Unease lingers in Kashmir despite ceasefire
Joy about an India-Pakistan ceasefire has been short-lived in Kashmir. Tens of thousands fled the Indian-controlled part of the disputed region last week amid heavy shelling and drone attacks by Pakistan. Yet despite a ceasefire announced on Saturday, only a handful of families returned to their homes on Sunday. "We will go back only after complete calm prevails," said Basharat Ahmed, who lives in Poonch district. "It doesn't take much time for the two countries to start fighting on the border." The ceasefire was intended to halt the hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbours and defuse the worst military confrontation between them for decades. But just hours later, each side accused the other of violating the deal. Indian officials said Pakistani shelling since Wednesday had killed at least 23 people and injured scores more. The shelling also damaged or destroyed hundreds of residential buildings. A man and his family in Indian-controlled Kashmir had taken shelter in a government-run college in the town of Baramulla. When they left early on Sunday, soldiers at a checkpoint stopped them, without giving a reason, before they could reach home in the Uri area of Poonch. "Our joy around the ceasefire just vanished," said Bashir Ahmed. He and his family had to return to the shelter at the college. Indian and Pakistani soldiers each guard their side of the frontier. There are watch towers every few hundred metres. Some Indian and Pakistani troops are so close they can wave to one another. A deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir last month plunged India-Pakistan relations to new lows. India accused its neighbour of backing the massacre, in which 26 men, mostly Indian Hindus, were killed — a charge Pakistan denies. Both countries subsequently expelled each other's diplomats and nationals, and shut borders and airspace. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his invaluable offer to play a greater role in bringing lasting peace to South confidence in US President Trump, the Prime Minister remarked that Pakistan has found a… — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 11, 2025 There were missile strikes, drone attacks, and heavy artillery fire in the days that followed. On Sunday, India said its missile strikes into Pakistani territory last week killed at least 100 militants, including prominent leaders. Across the border that divides Kashmir, people feared Indian attacks would flatten their villages. They began returning after the deal was announced, only to see their houses and businesses wrecked, uninhabitable or unsafe, and their belongings ruined. People are unsure if the ceasefire will hold and who will help them rebuild their lives. Abdul Shakoor, from Chinari in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, ran for his life on Wednesday. He and his family escaped through fields and walked almost 10 kilometres to take shelter at a relative's house. "Many people in other cities who support war don't realise who suffers the most when conflict breaks out or when two armies exchange fire," said Shakoor. "It's the people living near the border who pay the highest price." Although the ceasefire had brought people "immense relief," he wanted both countries to talk to each other. "In the end, even after war, it all comes back to dialogue." Nestled among the lush green landscape of the Neelum Valley lay dusty mounds of debris and rubble. The scenic spot a few kilometres from the Line of Control makes it vulnerable when tensions spike or there are cross-border skirmishes. The valley runs along the Neelum River and, in some places, the border posts of both Pakistan and India are visible.
The Independent
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Unease lingers in Kashmir despite ceasefire between India and Pakistan
Joy about an India-Pakistan ceasefire was short-lived in Kashmir. Tens of thousands fled the India n-controlled part of the disputed region last week amid heavy shelling and drone attacks by Pakistan. Yet despite a ceasefire announced Saturday, only a handful of families returned to their homes Sunday. 'We will go back only after complete calm prevails,' said Basharat Ahmed, who lives in Poonch district. 'It doesn't take much time for the two countries to start fighting on the border.' The ceasefire was intended to halt the hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbors and defuse the worst military confrontation between them for decades. But just hours later, each side accused the other of violating the deal. Indian officials said Pakistani shelling since Wednesday had killed at least 23 people and injured scores more. The shelling also damaged or destroyed hundreds of residential buildings. A man and his family in Indian-controlled Kashmir had taken shelter in a government-run college in the town of Baramulla. When they left early Sunday, soldiers at a checkpoint stopped them, without giving a reason, before they could reach home in the Uri area of Poonch. 'Our joy around the ceasefire just vanished,' said Bashir Ahmed. He and his family had to return to the shelter at the college. Indian and Pakistani soldiers each guard their side of the frontier. There are watch towers every few hundred meters (yards). Some Indian and Pakistani troops are so close they can wave to one another. A deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir last month plunged India-Pakistan relations to new lows. India accused its neighbor of backing the massacre, in which 26 men, mostly Indian Hindus, were killed — a charge Pakistan denies. Both countries subsequently expelled the other's diplomats and nationals, and shut borders and airspace. There were missile strikes, drone attacks, and heavy artillery fire in the days that followed. On Sunday, India said its missile strikes into Pakistani territory last week killed at least 100 militants, including prominent leaders. People near both sides of the border pay the price Across the border that divides Kashmir, people feared Indian attacks would flatten their villages. They began returning after the deal was announced, only to see their houses and businesses wrecked, uninhabitable or unsafe, and their belongings ruined. People are unsure if the ceasefire will hold and who will help them rebuild their lives. Abdul Shakoor, from Chinari in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, ran for his life on Wednesday. He and his family escaped through fields and walked almost 10 kilometers (6 miles) to take shelter at a relative's house. 'Many people in other cities who support war don't realize who suffers the most when conflict breaks out or when two armies exchange fire,' said Shakoor. 'It's the people living near the border who pay the highest price.' Although the ceasefire had brought people 'immense relief,' he wanted both countries to talk to each other. 'In the end, even after war, it all comes back to dialogue.' Nestled among the lush green landscape of the Neelum Valley lay dusty mounds of debris and rubble. The scenic spot a few kilometers from the Line of Control makes it vulnerable when tensions spike or there are cross-border skirmishes. The valley runs along the Neelum River and, in some places, the border posts of both Pakistan and India are visible. Last Friday night, as soon as the warning sirens started wailing, Fatima Bibi rushed into a bunker with her family. 'It was a terrifying night,' said Bibi. 'Both sides were firing at each other's posts. We heard nonstop explosions, and there was a deafening blast as shells started landing in our village." A small shell landed in the courtyard of her home, damaging the windows and walls. She was thankful for the ceasefire. 'Given how tense things had become, many people could have died if a war had broken out.' ___ Aijaz Hussain reported from Srinagar, India. AP writer Roshan Mughal contributed to this report from Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
Associated Press
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Unease lingers in Kashmir despite ceasefire between India and Pakistan
NEELUM VALLEY, Pakistan (AP) — Joy about an India-Pakistan ceasefire was short-lived in Kashmir. Tens of thousands fled the Indian-controlled part of the disputed region last week amid heavy shelling and drone attacks by Pakistan. Yet despite a ceasefire announced Saturday, only a handful of families returned to their homes Sunday. 'We will go back only after complete calm prevails,' said Basharat Ahmed, who lives in Poonch district. 'It doesn't take much time for the two countries to start fighting on the border.' The ceasefire was intended to halt the hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbors and defuse the worst military confrontation between them for decades. But just hours later, each side accused the other of violating the deal. Indian officials said Pakistani shelling since Wednesday had killed at least 23 people and injured scores more. The shelling also damaged or destroyed hundreds of residential buildings. A man and his family in Indian-controlled Kashmir had taken shelter in a government-run college in the town of Baramulla. When they left early Sunday, soldiers at a checkpoint stopped them, without giving a reason, before they could reach home in the Uri area of Poonch. 'Our joy around the ceasefire just vanished,' said Bashir Ahmed. He and his family had to return to the shelter at the college. Indian and Pakistani soldiers each guard their side of the frontier. There are watch towers every few hundred meters (yards). Some Indian and Pakistani troops are so close they can wave to one another. A deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir last month plunged India-Pakistan relations to new lows. India accused its neighbor of backing the massacre, in which 26 men, mostly Indian Hindus, were killed — a charge Pakistan denies. Both countries subsequently expelled the other's diplomats and nationals, and shut borders and airspace. There were missile strikes, drone attacks, and heavy artillery fire in the days that followed. On Sunday, India said its missile strikes into Pakistani territory last week killed at least 100 militants, including prominent leaders. People near both sides of the border pay the price Across the border that divides Kashmir, people feared Indian attacks would flatten their villages. They began returning after the deal was announced, only to see their houses and businesses wrecked, uninhabitable or unsafe, and their belongings ruined. People are unsure if the ceasefire will hold and who will help them rebuild their lives. Abdul Shakoor, from Chinari in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, ran for his life on Wednesday. He and his family escaped through fields and walked almost 10 kilometers (6 miles) to take shelter at a relative's house. 'Many people in other cities who support war don't realize who suffers the most when conflict breaks out or when two armies exchange fire,' said Shakoor. 'It's the people living near the border who pay the highest price.' Although the ceasefire had brought people 'immense relief,' he wanted both countries to talk to each other. 'In the end, even after war, it all comes back to dialogue.' Nestled among the lush green landscape of the Neelum Valley lay dusty mounds of debris and rubble. The scenic spot a few kilometers from the Line of Control makes it vulnerable when tensions spike or there are cross-border skirmishes. The valley runs along the Neelum River and, in some places, the border posts of both Pakistan and India are visible. Last Friday night, as soon as the warning sirens started wailing, Fatima Bibi rushed into a bunker with her family. 'It was a terrifying night,' said Bibi. 'Both sides were firing at each other's posts. We heard nonstop explosions, and there was a deafening blast as shells started landing in our village.' A small shell landed in the courtyard of her home, damaging the windows and walls. She was thankful for the ceasefire. 'Given how tense things had become, many people could have died if a war had broken out.' ___ Aijaz Hussain reported from Srinagar, India. AP writer Roshan Mughal contributed to this report from Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
