On the ground from Muridke's Markaz-e-Taiba in Pakistan after India's air strike

The air still feels heavy and dusty here in Muridke. There's a sharp, bad smell mixed with the usual smells of this busy town. Muridke is usually a center for religious activities because of the Markaz-e-Taiba. This is the main place for Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), a group that many countries think is the same as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). LeT is blamed for many attacks, including the terrible ones in Mumbai. But today, things are not normal here. Some parts of the Markaz are very quiet, with only people whispering and the sound of walking on broken pieces. The reason for this worry and damage? An air attack from India. People here are still feeling the effects.
It was hard to get to Muridke right after the attack. The roads were blocked, and there were many police and angry JuD people. People in Pakistan and the leaders of JuD are saying that this was a bad attack, that India went too far, and that they attacked a peaceful religious place. But the government in India says they attacked a place where terrorists were training. They say it was needed to stop more attacks. These very different stories show how much India & Pakistan don't trust each other. Here on the ground, away from the news and official talks, things are more complicated. People are scared, but they are also trying to be strong and hoping for things to get better. You can see the damage in the broken buildings, the families who had to leave their homes, and the sad faces of the people I've met.

VIDEO: On the ground from Muridke's Markaz-e-Taiba in Pakistan after India's air strike

Right After the Attack: Seeing the Damage

Right after the Indian air attack on the Markaz-e-Taiba, things were very messy and people were very upset. The places that were hit were some buildings in the big area that people here call a school and a place that helps people. These buildings were clearly damaged by bombs from the air. Walls had fallen down, roofs had broken, and pieces of metal, concrete, and things people use every day were all over the ground. People from the town and emergency workers quickly started trying to find people who were hurt or, sadly, had died. The air was full of dust and the smell of burning, which was a sad reminder of the sudden violence that happened here.
People who live here told stories about being very scared and confused. Many said they woke up to very loud explosions that shook the ground. At first, they couldn't believe it, and then they got very scared when they knew it was an attack. Families stayed close together, not knowing what to do or where to go to be safe. The sounds of police cars and the busy work of the rescue people soon filled the air. It made the place that used to be normal look like a disaster. Leaders from JuD said strongly that there were no soldiers training there, only religious schools and places that helped people. But India says that they attacked a place where terrorists were training. These different stories show how much India & Pakistan disagree and don't trust each other. The sadness of this attack can be seen in the stories of people who lost loved ones and had to leave their homes. These stories are more than just news reports.

How People Were Hurt: Stories of Loss and Strength

The Indian air attack on Muridke's Markaz-e-Taiba hurt people in very deep ways, not just their bodies. I talked to families who had lost people they loved. They were very, very sad. One old man told me how long he waited while people looked for his grandson, who was a student at one of the religious schools there. His voice broke when he told me they found him dead. Other people talked about getting hurt, being very scared when they saw the violence, and not knowing what will happen next. The attack not only killed and hurt people but also made people in the town very scared and worried. Children, especially, are very upset. They get scared easily when they hear loud noises.
Even though people are shocked and sad, they are also showing how strong they are in Muridke. I saw neighbors helping each other, sharing food and places to stay, and trying to comfort each other. People who volunteer, many from JuD's help organization, were working hard to give help to those who were hurt. The town, even though it was shaken, is trying to deal with what happened and rebuild their lives. But many people are also very angry and upset with India. They feel like it was a bad and unfair attack on people who did nothing wrong. This feeling shows how complicated things are here. People are sad and strong, but also angry and worried about the relationship between India & Pakistan, which is often dangerous. The stories of people who lost loved ones and the strength of the community show the real human impact of this attack, beyond the big political news.

What Might Happen Next: Problems in the Area

The Indian air attack on Muridke's Markaz-e-Taiba has caused big problems in the area and made things even more tense. Pakistan has said very strongly that the attack was wrong and that they will do something about it. Many countries around the world have asked both sides to calm down and talk to each other to stop more fighting. But the attack has made the relationship between India & Pakistan even more dangerous. It seems like India might be taking a stronger stance against groups they think are terrorists.
This change could lead to more fighting and a bigger war. The attack has also made the people who are very strict on both sides even stronger, which makes it harder for people who want peace to be heard. Many countries are pushing for peace talks, but the deep distrust and old problems between the two countries make it very hard. What will happen next between India and Pakistan is very unclear, and what happened in Muridke reminds us how easily things can become dangerous in this area. The long-term effects of this attack, for the people here and for the whole area, are still coming, but right now, there is a lot more worry and tension.

What's Next: A Difficult Hope for Peace

The situation in Muridke is still tense and uncertain. People are getting immediate help, but it will take a long time to fix the damage to the town and the lives of the people. The Indian air attack has not only broken buildings and hurt people but has also made the distrust and anger between India and Pakistan even worse. It will be very hard for both countries to find a way to calm down and have real talks to solve the problems. The voices of the people here who have suffered from this violence are very important. Their hope for peace and safety should remind everyone that war hurts people, and that finding peaceful ways to solve problems is জরুরি.