The government has proposed the construction of a first-of-its-kind underground emergency hospital in the border town of Poonch, which bore the maximum brunt of Pakistan shelling during ‘Operation Sindoor’ in May this year.
According to the media reports if this unique hospital is approved it will serve as a life-saving refuge for residents living under the constant shadow of violence, offering uninterrupted critical care even during intense hostilities.
The government has drafted a proposal to construct a fully-equipped underground emergency and trauma care facility within the premises of the District Hospital, designed to withstand shelling and continue operations in crisis.
The underground hospital is more than just a structure—it’s a message. A message that border lives matter. That citizens in these forgotten frontlines are not invisible. That their right to safety, dignity, and healthcare will not be held hostage by geopolitics.
For the people of Poonch, the night of May 6, 2025 was etched in blood and fear, as artillery fire rained down indiscriminately.
Roads were blocked, ambulances stood still, and doctors performed triage under the threat of further attack.
Health infrastructure in Poonch has remained fragile, dependent on brave medical personnel who risk their lives during escalations to reach those in need.
In such a context, this underground hospital could prove to be a game-changer—bringing continuity of care, psychological assurance, and functional resilience to Poonch.
Health officials, civil society members, and security experts alike have welcomed the proposal. If implemented, it could serve as a blueprint for healthcare in conflict-prone regions—from Jammu and Kashmir to the Northeast and beyond.
It may inspire not only new infrastructure but a new philosophy: that in areas where lives are most at risk, the state must be most visible.
As Poonch recovers and rebuilds, the hope for this underground hospital grows not only in utility but in symbolism.
It is not just a bunker with beds—it is a sanctuary of survival. A space where violence cannot reach, where care won’t stop, and where hope will endure—even underground. |
