### The Ongoing Struggles of Kashmir Amidst India-Pakistan Tension

### The article explores how ordinary Kashmiris are affected amid rising tensions and military activity between India and Pakistan.

As night envelops Kashmir, the stark realities of conflict seep into the lives of its residents, separated by an arbitrary border that has endured decades of tension. While missile strikes and drone warfare capture international headlines, the everyday lives of Kashmiris tell a different, harrowing tale.

Showkat Nanda, a journalist who has witnessed the turmoil firsthand, shared his experiences from Garkote, a village under Indian administration. The day before Nanda arrived, violence erupted between Indian and Pakistani forces, signaling a dangerous escalation within the region. The evening Nanda spent with his friend Irshad Khwaja painted a vivid picture of the constant fear that shadows daily life in Kashmir.

The ambiance before the shelling began was deceptively serene. As dusk fell, homes on both sides of the Line of Control twinkled with lights, lending a sense of normalcy. But this illusion quickly shattered as a warning echoed through the darkened streets, urging residents to stay indoors. This announcement brought with it a sense of foreboding, well-known to the people of Kashmir.

In moments that followed, the familiar sound of artillery filled the air as both sides engaged in their nightly bombardment. For the residents, such nights have become tragically commonplace; they can only hope and pray for a semblance of peace amidst the chaos surrounding them. Each artillery strike, each cry of alarm, reinforces the heavy toll that this conflict exacts on ordinary lives—too often overlooked in the broader geopolitical narrative.

In this relentless cycle of violence between India and Pakistan, it is the innocent Kashmiris who must navigate a landscape marked by fear, uncertainty, and the stark reality of a conflict that shows no signs of resolution.