As India launched Operation Sindoor—targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK following the brutal Pahalgam attack—tensions erupted along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu & Kashmir. In a tragic turn of events, 13 civilians, including four children and one Indian soldier, lost their lives due to heavy and indiscriminate shelling by the Pakistan Army.
🚨 What Happened?
On the night of May 6-7, the Pakistan Army initiated arbitrary firing and artillery shelling on several border villages in districts like Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, and Kupwara, damaging homes, vehicles, even a Gurdwara. The barrage of shelling forced hundreds to flee into underground bunkers or seek shelter in safer areas.
Among the deceased was Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of the 5 Field Regiment. In a heartfelt tribute, the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps stated:
“We salute the supreme sacrifice of L/Nk Dinesh Kumar, who laid down his life during Pakistan Army shelling.”
🕊️ A Gurdwara Targeted, Sikhs Among Victims
A sacred Gurdwara in Poonch was hit in the shelling, drawing strong condemnation from across the country. Shiromani Akali Dal’s Sukhbir Singh Badal said on X:
“Strongly condemn the inhuman attack on the Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Poonch. Innocent Gursikhs have lost their lives.”
Victims of the Gurdwara shelling included Bhai Amrik Singh Ji, Bhai Amarjeet Singh, and Bhai Ranjit Singh.
👨👩👧👦 Victims Include Children and Women
The tragic list of victims includes:
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Mohd Zain Khan (10) and his sister Zoya Khan (12)
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Maryam Khatoon (7)
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Vihaan Bhargav (13)
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Several women and elderly villagers
In total, 59 people were injured, including 10 in Uri (Baramulla) and 3 in Rajouri. Multiple homes were reported to have caught fire due to the bombardment in Kupwara’s Karnah sector.
🛰️ Why This Matters
This outbreak of violence follows India’s precision missile strikes on nine terror hubs inside Pakistan and PoK—dubbed Operation Sindoor. The Ministry of Defence clarified:
“Our actions were focused and non-escalatory. No Pakistani military facilities were targeted. The strikes were a response to the terror attack in Pahalgam.”
Terror targets included:
- Bahawalpur (Jaish-e-Mohammed base)
- Muridke (Lashkar-e-Taiba HQ)
🔍 What’s Next?
With civilians now bearing the brunt of the escalating situation, both international observers and Indian authorities are calling for de-escalation—but not at the cost of national security. The UN Security Council has discussed the crisis behind closed doors, though no official statement has been released.
