Chandigarh, April 30 — A tense calm hangs over the border villages of Punjab, where soft murmurs and subdued preparations are underway in response to rising Indo-Pakistani tensions following the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
Across stretches of farmland near the International Border, villagers in districts like Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Fazilka have begun making discreet adjustments.
Security forces, meanwhile, have ramped up deployments, initiated inquiries, and asked locals to remain on high alert.
“The police asked me to submit a list of all those who own irrigation motors,” said Manjinder Singh Manna, a resident of Tarn Taran. “This hasn’t happened in years.”
Locals report that elders have been discreetly summoned by security personnel, often asked to confirm motor ownership records or the condition of ditch-cum-bunds—earthen embankments flanked by trenches that can be flooded in case of enemy movement.
In Gurdaspur’s Chauntra village, a video circulating locally features an elder issuing warnings via loudspeaker: “I request all residents to remain vigilant. Harvest your crops as early as possible. Report any suspicious movement to the BSF or police.”
While police officials say these messages may not be officially sanctioned, they acknowledge the possibility of community-led action. “We are not aware of any formal announcements,” said Dorangla SHO Davinder Singh. “Locals may have taken such steps independently.”
Across border districts, law enforcement has increased its footprint significantly.
Tarn Taran SSP Abhimanyu Rana reported that 60 new checkpoints—20 of them near the border—have been activated.
Fazilka SSP Varinder Singh Brar confirmed 22 additional nakas, while Ferozepur SSP Bhupinder Singh stated that 18 new checkpoints and 180 personnel have been added to reinforce local policing.
“These are purely precautionary measures,” said Bhupinder Singh. “There’s no immediate threat, and the situation remains under control.”
However, the atmosphere is anything but routine for many residents, especially those who have seen previous conflicts unfold from the frontlines.
The echoes of wars past—1965, 1971, and Operation Parakram in 2001-02—resonate strongly.
“People here have lived through this before and are mentally prepared,” said Subedar Charan Singh (retd), a Kirti Chakra awardee and veteran of previous border tensions.
“We’ll defend the nation—whatever the cost.”
Despite police assurance and a lack of formal alerts, elders in villages across Gurdaspur have been quietly urging residents to stay prepared.
One youth noted that while older community members had clearly interacted with authorities, they were reluctant to share details.
As villagers quicken their harvests and listen for loudspeakers, the silence along the border speaks volumes.
Though officials stress caution over crisis, the growing patchwork of precaution paints a different picture—a region where readiness has quietly returned.
