‘Indians In Border Areas Are Prepared For Conflict But Pray For Peace’
Shubham Trikha, a national-level chess player and founder of Amritsar Chess Club, speaks about the resilience of people living in border areas, military conflicts, terror and peace. His views:
As someone living close to the India-Pakistan border in Amritsar, I can say the few days starting May 7 were nothing short of terrifying. For two to three days, the sound of bombings echoed across our skies. We could hear distant shelling, and the tension in the air was something you can’t describe unless you’ve lived through it. Families here were anxious people avoided stepping out unless absolutely necessary, schools were shut, and mobile networks were patchy. The fear of escalation loomed large.
Thankfully, the situation has calmed down now with a ceasefire in place. But even as peace returns on the surface, there’s an underlying awareness that anything can happen. The presence of the Indian Army and BSF (Border Security Force) is still strong here; they remain alert, and so do we. Life has resumed, but the sense of caution remains.
Now coming to the larger question: War or Peace? India’s decision to launch attacks on Pakistani terror bases, in my opinion, was justified. When terror repeatedly crosses our borders and claims innocent lives, a strong response becomes necessary. It was a message not just to Pakistan, but to those who think India won’t respond. Was it successful? Tactically, yes. Strategically, the message was delivered. But whether it stops terrorism permanently is a different matter.
Terrorism isn’t just a military issue. It’s rooted in ideology, funding, and political instability. So while surgical or air strikes may deter or disrupt, they won’t completely stop the “terror tap” unless Pakistan itself takes sincere steps to dismantle terror infrastructure on its soil.
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What more can India do? India must continue to build strong global pressure on Pakistan diplomatically cutting off funding and support systems for these groups. Internally, we need better intelligence networks and border security technology. Education and counter-radicalization efforts also play a big role in the long run.
As for dialogue with Pakistan, yes, it’s important, but only when there’s trust and accountability. Dialogue without results only weakens our position and emboldens terror elements. There has to be concrete action on Pakistan’s part to prove they are serious about peace.
Being in this part of the country, you realize how fragile peace is. If it had turned into a full-blown war, the cost would’ve been immense not just in lives, but in livelihoods, in homes lost, in generations scarred. People here, especially children, still carry the psychological impact of what they heard and saw over those few days.
Peace is always the preferred path, but it must come with security, not at the cost of silence in the face of terrorism. We are prepared for anything but we always hope for peace.
As told to Mamta Sharma
