Cross-border violence escalates as children become victims of ongoing conflict along LoC
Srinagar, May 13 — The tragic story of 12-year-old twins Zoya and Zain has become a painful symbol of the human cost of continued hostilities along the Line of Control (LoC). The siblings, who shared an inseparable bond since birth, lost their lives on May 7 when artillery shells fired by Pakistani forces struck their home in Poonch district.
Their mother, Arusa Khan, remains in shock, unable to process that her children will never return. Their father, Rameez Khan, a local schoolteacher, lies critically injured in hospital, unaware that his twins have been buried.
A Childhood Cut Short
The twins’ story highlights the devastating impact of cross-border violence on Kashmiri civilians. Zoya and Zain, who had just begun to dream of their futures, became casualties of escalating tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor—a military action that came in response to earlier violence in the region.
Eyewitnesses report that multiple shells landed near civilian areas in Poonch, with at least 16 casualties reported, including women and children. Local residents describe scenes of chaos as families scrambled for safety amid the bombardment.
A Grieving Community
The deaths have sparked outrage across Kashmir, with many questioning why civilian populations continue to bear the brunt of the conflict.
“These children had their whole lives ahead of them,” said a neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous. “When will the world take notice of our suffering?”
Funeral prayers for Zoya and Zain were attended by hundreds, their small coffins a stark reminder of the fragility of life in the conflict zone.
Calls for Accountability
Human rights organizations have long documented civilian casualties on both sides of the LoC, urging India and Pakistan to respect international humanitarian law. However, with tensions remaining high, there are fears of further violence.
“The targeting of civilian areas is a clear violation of human rights,” said a spokesperson for a Srinagar-based rights group. “The international community must intervene before more innocent lives are lost.”
A Mother’s Unimaginable Loss
As the twins’ mother struggles to come to terms with her loss, their father remains hospitalized in critical condition. The family, like many others in the region, had hoped for a peaceful life away from the frontlines—a hope now shattered.
Their story serves as a grim reminder that behind the headlines of geopolitical tensions, it is ordinary Kashmiris who continue to pay the highest price.
(Reporting from Srinagar; names of survivors have been changed for their safety.)