Srinagar, August 08 : As the ongoing military and cordon and search operation in Kulgam district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) enters its ninth consecutive day, toda, the besieged residents of Akhal village have appealed for relocation, citing severe hardships and growing fears for their safety. The cordon and search operation launched by Indian forces on Thursday has brought daily life to a standstill. Villagers report relentless firing and explosions, particularly at night, leaving them unable to sleep and struggling with dwindling supplies of food, water, and medicine.“We have been facing severe difficulties for the past seven days. Firing and bomb blasts continue throughout the night. There is a shortage of rations in our homes,” said Mubarak Khanday, a resident of Akhal. “Women and children are terrified. Many have developed psychological problems due to the continuous operation,” he added. Khanday stressed the urgency of the situation, saying, “We haven’t slept for days. There is no medicine, no food. Even the nomadic Gujjar population in the area has run out of food grains.”
Sheikh Mehboob, a local village official, echoed the concerns. “We are facing an acute shortage of water and essential medicines. We request the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department to supply drinking water to us. The ongoing firing is especially hard on the elderly and children,” he said.
Sheeraza Akhtar, another local resident, issued a plea to the Kulgam Deputy Commissioner. “We appeal for immediate help. We are poor and suffering. Many have already left the village, and several homes are now abandoned. Please relocate us from this area,” she urged.
Indian forces are reportedly using advanced surveillance technology, including drones and gunship helicopters, to target suspected mujahideen in the region.