What we want is peace, say Kashmiri expats in UAE

Abu Dhabi - Kashmiri expats in the UAE, whose families live on both sides of the LoC, are "praying and hoping" that peace will prevail.

Muhammad Azam's family was woken up on Tuesday (February 26) early morning with the ear-shattering noise of jet planes flying over their village near Kotli in the Pakistan-Administered Kashmir.
"No one knows what happened. My mother and uncles thought the earth was shaking. There was absolute panic and they are now living in fear," the Kashmiri expat told Khaleej Times describing the 'night of horror' when Indian fighter jets launched an airstrike in Pakistan on Tuesday early morning.
Indian government has said that its air force crossed the Line of Control (LoC) separating Kashmir between India and Pakistan, to avenge the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 that killed 42 CRPF personnel.
Responding to the 'Indian aggression,' Pakistan has said that it will give a 'befitting reply' to India.
With tension escalating between the two nuclear-armed neighbours at the border, Kashmiri expats in the UAE, whose families live on both sides of the LoC, are "praying and hoping" that peace will prevail.
"We have had enough of this. I grew up seeing young people lose their lives in this conflict. Every time there is a shelling at the border, we have to run and seek refuge in a bunker. We don't want to live like that anymore," said Azam, who grew up in Kotli. He came to the UAE four years ago.
Rafaqat Shehzad, another Kashmiri expat from the Pakistan side of the LoC, said when both countries play politics, Kashmiris lose their lives.
"Neither India nor Pakistan will lose anything. We Kashmiris will suffer the casualties," said the delivery boy.
His family consisting of his mother, sister, brother and sister-in-law also live in Kotli near Balakot, where the Indian Air Force dropped the bombs.
"I know there are people who want India and Pakistan to go to war. But they have never lived near the LoC. They do not know the realities we face on a daily basis."
"I want both the countries to sit across the negotiating table and settle their differences. This is my request. I do not want to see more widows, orphans and disgruntled youth," said Shehzad.
The plea for peace is also coming from the Indian side too. Many Kashmiris who spoke to Khaleej Times said they want India and Pakistan to be friendly neighbours.
Dr Syed Haseeb Andrabi, a doctor in Abu Dhabi, said peace is the only long-lasting solution.
"With the current crisis, people are tensed in Srinagar. No one is sure what direction things will go, and they are prepared for the worst.
"Kashmir is a complex issue. There are different religious groups with different political leanings. But if you ask any commoner, he will say he wants peace and no war," said Andrabi who lives with his family in Abu Dhabi for the last 10 years.
Another Kashmiri in Abu Dhabi, who gave his name as Javed, said growing up in Srinagar as a young man, he has seen the human cost of this long-drawn conflict.
"It is true that we get used to the checkposts and curfews. That becomes part of our normal life. But if Kashmir has to progress, this conflict must end and tourism should flourish.
"If there is political will on both sides, Kashmiris can enjoy a peaceful life," he added.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Abu Dhabi