Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, May 14, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the grieving family of Nargis Begum, a 40-year-old woman tragically killed in a Pakistani artillery shelling near the Line of Control in Uri, Baramulla district, on May 7, 2025. The visit, marked by heartfelt condolences, underscored the profound loss felt by the family and the broader community amid escalating cross-border tensions.
Nargis Begum, a school worker and mother of six from Razarwani village, was killed when a shrapnel from a Pakistani shell struck the vehicle she was traveling in while attempting to flee the intense shelling. The incident, which occurred near Mohura, also injured two family members, including her sister-in-law, Hafiza Begum. The shelling, part of a broader ceasefire violation by Pakistan following India’s Operation Sindoor, targeted civilian areas in Uri, causing widespread devastation and forcing many residents to evacuate to safer locations like Baramulla.
Chief Minister Abdullah, in a poignant statement, expressed his sorrow: “Met the family of Nargis Begum, who lost her life in the recent shelling in Uri. No words can express the depth of their grief or the magnitude of this tragedy. I pray they find the strength to bear this irreparable loss. We stand with them in this hour of grief.” His visit, accompanied by Cabinet Ministers Sakeena Itoo and Javed Ahmad Dar, aimed to assess the situation in the shelling-affected areas and ensure swift rehabilitation and medical assistance for victims.
The tragedy has left Nargis Begum’s family shattered, with her eldest daughter, Sanam Bashir, grappling with the loss just a month before her planned wedding. “Blood dripped from my mother’s face as I held her in my arms,” Sanam recounted, describing the harrowing moment when Nargis succumbed to her injuries. Her father, Basheer Ahmad Khan, expressed regret over their decision to flee, saying, “I would not have stepped out of my house had I known my wife would lose her life. We were running for safety, but it turned into a tragedy.”
The shelling, which targeted multiple areas including Silikot, Boniyar, Kamalkote, Mohra, and Gingle, damaged homes, shops, and livestock, leaving many residents unable to return due to the risk of unexploded ordnance. The J&K government, under Abdullah’s leadership, has prioritized civilian safety, with authorities evacuating villagers and providing shelter at locations like the Government Degree College in Uri.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also visited the affected border areas, interacting with families and youth to address their concerns. The government has urged both India and Pakistan to sustain the ceasefire to prevent further loss of life. As Zubaida Begum, a local resident, pleaded, “I request both countries to ensure this ceasefire remains forever. Otherwise, I would rather wander than put my children’s lives at risk.”
The J&K administration remains committed to supporting affected families and rebuilding the shattered communities along the LoC.
