Simari, May 07: One year after the Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor across the Krishan Ganga river in response to a militant attack, the residents of Simari village in the Tangdhar sector are striving to redefine their narrative of normalcy. The frontier village, situated on the edge of India with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir on the opposite bank of the river, experienced the full force of the operation as artillery fire lit up the night sky.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Operation Sindoor commenced on the intervening night of May 6-7, 2025, targeting militant infrastructure in Pakistan. For the approximately 500 residents of Simari, however, the event was a visceral experience of conflict rather than a distant military action. The sounds of shelling became a stark reminder of their precarious location, pushing many to seek refuge in community bunkers.
A year on, Simari, nestled at the foothills of the Shamshabari mountains and roughly 180 km from Srinagar, has largely returned to its daily rhythms. Yet, a palpable sense of caution and reserve often greets outsiders. The village, characterized by a mix of modern concrete dwellings and traditional mud and timber homes, stands divided by the Krishan Ganga river, a constant symbol of both geographical and metaphorical division.
Ghulam Qadir, one of the few villagers willing to speak about the events, recounted the intensity of that night. “We didn’t just hear about the war… we felt it as shells lit the skies,” he told PTI, emphasizing the direct impact on the community. Despite the lingering memories, the villagers are keen to assert their resilience and their role as sentinels of the nation.
The local middle school in Simari, designated as Polling Booth Number One, bears a hand-painted slogan proclaiming: ‘Democracy starts from here’. This declaration underscores the villagers’ self-perception as torchbearers of democracy, particularly given their position as one of India’s last villages. They view themselves as primary guardians of the nation’s democratic ideals, especially as they are physically separated from the mainland by a security fence.
Many residents depend on the Army troops stationed in the area, often working as labourers for them. While commemorative events for Operation Sindoor are being observed nationally, life in Simari remains a delicate balance between routine and the underlying anxiety that their remoteness could once again place them at the centre of conflict.
The presence of drones from across the border has also been a source of concern for residents like Iqbal, who noted that the Army had to open fire multiple times to counter intrusions. “Some of the intruding objects (drones) fell in our area. These were successfully removed by the Army,” he stated, acknowledging the Army’s support during the difficult period.
Accessing Simari, located eight kilometres from the developing border tourism area of Teetwal, is challenging. The journey involves navigating unpaved roads and crossing fast-flowing waters. The local dialect is Pahari, and the village’s culture and customs differ from those of the broader Kashmiri heartland or the adjacent Kupwara district.
Operation Sindoor was India’s military response following a militant attack, which involved airstrikes on nine militant infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, reportedly resulting in the deaths of approximately 100 militants.
The Chenab Times News Desk