Srinagar, May 17 : Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari, accompanied by a delegation of senior party leaders, visited several areas in Uri on Friday to meet residents affected by the recent cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC).
The delegation toured multiple locations, including Gingal, Rajarwani, Bandi, Lagama, and Slamabad, to assess the on-ground situation and express solidarity with the affected families. In Rajarwani, Bukhari met with the bereaved family of Nargis Begum, who tragically lost her life in the shelling on May 9.
Offering condolences, Bukhari said the Apni Party stands in unwavering support of the border residents who have borne the brunt of the violence. He assured the locals that their concerns and grievances would be raised with the highest authorities.
Speaking at various gatherings during the visit, Bukhari highlighted the plight of border residents not just in Uri but also in Karnah, Tangdhar, Poonch, Rajouri, and other LoC areas. “These communities have suffered immense human and material losses. It is heartbreaking to witness such devastation. The government must act swiftly to rehabilitate the victims and ensure they receive adequate compensation and support,” he said.
Expressing concern over the vulnerability of border residents, Bukhari reiterated his demand for the construction of family bunkers—as opposed to community bunkers—so families can immediately take shelter during emergencies.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“Spent an entire day with residents from various areas of Uri who—like other border dwellers in J&K—have suffered immensely due to recent cross-border shelling.
The trauma runs deep. Fear pervades every home. They are extremely vulnerable—practically sitting ducks for mortar fire from across the border.”
He emphasized that the safety and well-being of border residents must be a top priority for the government, stating that “rehabilitation of those who have suffered human or material losses must be fast-tracked. The victims deserve immediate and sustained support.”
During his visit, Bukhari also extended condolences to the family of Khawaja Abdul Qayoom Farooqi, maternal uncle of former MLA Dr. Sajjad Shafi, in Gingal Uri.
Leaders Accompanying Altaf Bukhari
Among the prominent Apni Party leaders who accompanied the president were:
- Yawar Dilawar Mir – President, Youth Wing & former MLA
- Shabir Ahmad Shah – District President, Baramulla
- Shabir Ahmad Lone – DDC Member, Rafiabad
- Syed Mehmood Bukhari – Senior Vice District President, Baramulla
- Rafiq Ahmad Balote – Provincial President, ST Wing
- Chowdhary Mushtaq – Constituency In-Charge, Uri
- Ghulam Mohammad War – In-Charge, Sopore Constituency
- Farooq Rafiabadi & Noor-ul-Aman – Vice Presidents, District Baramulla
- Showkat Ahmad War – District Secretary
- Nadeem Khawaja – Media In-Charge, Baramulla
- Advocate Ishfaq Ahmad – In-Charge, Legal Affairs, District Baramulla
- Muhammad Akbar Dar, Javaid Ahmad Lone, Ghulam Mohiuddin, Mohammad Asadullah Lone, Ghulam Hassan Rather, Riyaz Ahmad Yatoo, Shabir Ahmad Chachi, Aalam Khan, Choudhary Mamdin Boniyar, Mohammad Younis Gingel, Mohammad Akran Khan, Shaik Parvaz, Mohammad Ali Nambla, Mutwali Chachi, Ishtaq Ahmad Uri, and others.
The visit underscored Apni Party’s commitment to advocating for the rights, safety, and rehabilitation of those living along the vulnerable border areas in Jammu and Kashmir.
