Weddings Persist in Azad Kashmir Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions

Despite rising tensions and military clashes between India and Pakistan following a deadly shooting in Kashmir, residents in Pakistan-administered Neelum Valley continue to hold weddings and maintain traditional celebrations. Locals, such as newlyweds Rabia Bibi and Chaudhry Junaid, express a desire for peace and resilience, refusing to let the threat of war disrupt their lives. Authorities on both sides of the border have issued warnings, conducted emergency drills, and advised residents to prepare for conflict, yet daily life persists in the region. The determination of Kashmiris to celebrate joyous occasions underscores their defiance in the face of longstanding instability and fear. While political and military tensions escalate, ordinary people on both sides of the Line of Control strive to uphold normalcy and tradition.