Rabia Bibi, a glittering red dupatta pulled over her eyes, wasn’t about to let the threat of war with India stop her wedding in a remote valley in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.
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“In our childhood the situation was also like this but we are not afraid. Nor will we be,” the 18-year-old said after being carried in a flower-garlanded “doli” carriage.
“We want peace, so our life does not get affected,” said the bride, radiant in gold bangles, bejewelled bridal headpiece and richly embroidered scarlet robe.
At the ceremony – preceded by the sacrifice of a chicken – groom Chaudhry Junaid, no less resplendent in his elaborate sherwani coat and red-and-gold turban, was also defiant.
“People are anxious and worried, but even so, we haven’t cancelled any traditional ceremonies,” the 23-year-old chef said.
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Tensions between the nuclear-armed arch-rivals have soared since India accused Pakistan of backing a shooting that killed 26 civilians on the Indian side of disputed Kashmir on April 22.