Indigenous missile assault has left the intended site in shambles, with locals expressing a sense of confinement.
In a dire state of disarray, the Jamia Ummul Qurah mosque in Muridke stands as chaos reigns supreme. Doors and windows have been flung open, and gaping holes adorn the ceiling, courtesy of Indian missiles that left three men lifeless. Piles of debris smother prayer books, and bent metal is strewn everywhere, creating a scene of devastation.
Muridke, a tiny city of around 250,000 people, finds itself trapped amid the crosshairs of the Indian military, just 20 miles away from the provincial capital of Punjab and perilously close to India's border.
India insists that this is a terror base, while locals argue it's a civilian complex consisting of schools, residential areas, a hospital, and a massive seminary with over 3,000 students. Ever since the Pakistani government took control of the complex, India has aggressively suspected it to be the home of Lashkar-e-Taiba – a militant group labeled as a terror organization by the UN, and allegedly responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
Hanzla Ammad, a local resident, claims that many people fled the area a week before due to rampant Indian propaganda. He contends that India hasn't presented any substantial evidence to support their claims.
Hanzla, like many others still in Muridke, dreams of securing justice. "India flouted international norms and killed civilians, so Pakistan has a right to defend itself," he passionately declares to our website.
India has constantly argued that their actions are intended to target purely "terrorist infrastructure." Pakistan, however, rejects these claims and denies any connection to the attack in Kashmir that caused so much devastation in places like Muridke.
Pakistan has long faced accusations of supporting and financing militants, but Hanzla claims his country is now the "victim." Walking amidst the ruins, I encounter Usama Sarwar, a 26-year-old man who voices his concerns: "This is a matter of national pride for Pakistan. Our soldiers, our government, and even our elders appear compromised."
With all-out war far from desired, the specter of an imminent conflict looms ominously. In the past few days, Iran, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia have been proactively mediating, hoping to steer both countries towards a safer space devoid of unnecessary hostilities. Yet, the tit-for-tat exchanges have lasted longer than many had anticipated, raising concerns for both sides as the potential for miscalculation grows.
This conflict has been raging for decades. However, it appears that the rest of the world has become increasingly disengaged, leaving both neighbors to grapple with their mutual unrest and the seemingly unrelenting need for confrontation. One can only wonder, what does claiming victory now signify? The future is uncertain, but the current scenario paints a grim picture as the two nations continue to wage a battle that shows no signs of letting up.
- The Jamia Ummul Qurah mosque in Muridke, a city in Punjab province, stands in chaos and ruins, a result of a conflict that has trapped it in the crosshairs of the Indian military.
- Hanzla Ammad, a local resident, asserts that India's actions against this mosque constitute a miscalculation, as they have killed civilians and flouted international norms, leading to calls for justice from those still in Muridke.
- Usama Sarwar, a 26-year-old man in Muridke, voices concerns about the potential for a full-blown war, stating that this is a matter of national pride for Pakistan and that their soldiers, government, and elders seem compromised in the ongoing conflict with India.
- Despite the desire to avoid all-out war, international tensions continue to rise, with Iran, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia mediating, but the tit-for-tat exchanges lasting longer than anticipated, raising concerns for both sides and increasing the risk of miscalculation.
- This conflict, which has been raging for decades, has left both neighbors grappling with unrest, with the rest of the world increasingly disengaged. The uncertain future paints a grim picture as the two nations continue to wage a battle that shows no signs of abating, leaving one to wonder what claiming victory now would truly signify.
