The worst was the densely populated colony of Rehari, where one of the bombs passed through Gulshan Dutta’s home, left the structure and left several vehicles behind.
One person was injured, but the family escaped narrowly.
Dutta’s wife recalled: “When we woke up, we walked to the balcony, rushed to the sirens and rushed to the bottom floor. A moment later, a huge explosion shocked our house.”
“The siren saved our lives,” she said. “If we hadn’t moved, we would die. Mata Rani protected us.” The devastating scenes in the Rehari colony were similar to war zones – concrete, twisted metal, broken windows and debris embedded in walls and vehicles. At around 5:15 am this morning, Dutta was shocked by the explosion.
“Our whole house is shaking. We think it’s over,” he said.
Another bomb reportedly targeted the respected AAP Shambhu temple but landed near an isolated house, avoiding what could be a massive casualty.
“We came to pray in the morning when the loud explosion broke the silence. The fragments flew around everywhere,” said Sudesh Kumar, a devotee.
“If it happens later, dozens of them could be killed,” he said.
In Janipur, shells tear through the roof of the house, causing extensive damage nearby. However, the family locked the house in fear and moved to another place.
Several communities reported panic and sleepless nights after the explosion and overnight drone activity.
“We got up all night due to drone alerts. And then it exploded. Now there is fear… people feel unsafe even at home.”
Hazuribagh’s Shakuntala Devi echoes the focus. “They are now targeting civilians. When they can’t fight our army, they try to break us by hitting innocent people,” she said.
Despite the fear, some residents expressed resistance. Qatar Chand works at a warehouse near the business hub and witnesses shells explode nearby earlier today.
“We are not afraid, but we have to pay for it. They must not be allowed to continue sponsoring the horrors of Jamu and Kashmir,” he said.
Talab Tillo resident Devi Sharan Gupta said the attacks brought back memories of the 1971 war.
“I haven’t seen anything like this since then in quiem. This intentional goal for civilian areas is unprecedented,” he said.
On Friday, Jamu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the attacks, calling them “the worst targets for civilians in Jamu since 1971”.
