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India-Pakistan conflict: Villagers near Zero Line in Punjab in no mood to evacuate, offer Gurdaspur MP chai and pakora after he calls on them

SGPC made special arrangements for shelter and meals at gurdwaras for people displaced from border areas.

Citing past experiences when full evacuations did not lead to war, locals stated that the current situation may not escalate further. (Express photo)

Amid the tension between India and Pakistan, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa was offered tea and pakora (fritters) when he went to check on villagers residing in border areas under his constituency on Friday.

“This is the spirit of Punjab. Punjabis are never afraid. Frankly, I smelt tension at the border. But villagers offered me tea and pakoras when I visited them to check if they were facing any issues,” said Randhawa.

Currently, most villagers in the border areas are not ready for evacuation, though some have sent their women and children to safer places.

Meanwhile, banking facilities have been interrupted in many areas near the international border.

Two bank branches in Khalra village, just 1 km from the border, remained closed on Friday.

The deputy commissioner of Tarn Taran also claimed there were no immediate plans to evacuate people.

Citing past experiences when full evacuations did not lead to war, locals stated that the current situation may not escalate further.

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“I have seen the 1965 and 1971 wars. I know what kind of preparations are made during a war. So far, it is peaceful here. I don’t think there would be any war. We were evacuated in 2016, too, after the Uri attack,” said Balwinder Singh, 80, a resident of Khalra village.

“The border villages are not the same as they were during the 1965 or 1971 war, or even during the Kargil war. At that time, we were living a humble life. We didn’t have much to lose. But in the last two decades, we have seen vast development in border areas. Now we have good roads and almost all the facilities in our home that you will find in cities,” said Chetan Singh from Rajo Ke village near the Zero Line.

Also Read | Punjab on alert: All-night blackout in Gurdaspur, fireworks ban in Amritsar, Tarn Taran

“Earlier, we had kaccha houses. Now we have pucca houses. How can we leave behind homes which have been constructed with such hard work,” he added.

MP Randhawa said, “The administration can’t do much here. It will set up shelters. But even poor villagers do not like to live in shelters. They will go to their relatives instead of living in shelters. This is Punjab. Society comes forward at the hour of need.”

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Meanwhile, the suspension of all commercial and civil flight operations from the Amritsar Airport has been further extended till 5.30 am on May 15.

SGPC steps in

In light of the growing tensions between India and Pakistan, the Bir (Guru Granth Sahib) was shifted from the Gurdwara Baba Sidhji on the Zero Line near Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on Friday.

Devotees pay obeisance here before going to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.

Partap Singh, Secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), said residents of border areas can contact the nearest gurdwara under the SGPC management if they require assistance in the wake of the tension between India and Pakistan.

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The manager of the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak, said, “We had got a request only from Gurdwara Sidh ji. So, the Bir was brought from there. If any other village would make such a request, then we will bring the Bir from there as well.”

Partap Singh said, “Special arrangements for shelter and meals have been made at nearby gurdwaras for people displaced from border areas.”

SGPC had also played a big role in providing langar (food) and shelter to the evacuated population in 2016.

Meanwhile, an SGPC team visited Sikhs who were injured in the recent attack in Poonch and assured them of all possible assistance.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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