15 killed after Pakistani army targets schools and gurudwara in Poonch

New Delhi (India) May 8: A grave and dreadful incident occurred on May 7 near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir. The military of Pakistan started shelling civilian areas in the Poonch district with strong and irregular artillery shelling. Fifteen Indian people were killed during the nearly nine-hour-long strike. Over 40 other people were injured.Poonch district was one of the most seriously impacted border areas. The Pakistani attacks also occurred in the districts of Rajouri in the Jammu area and Uri, Karnah, and Tangdhar in Kupwara district.

The defence officials said that, “Artillery firing by the Pakistan Army since last night has hit civilian areas in Poonch and Tangdhar. Caused the death of 15 innocent civilians and injured 43 others,” 

According to the officials, the Indian Army is reacting properly to the assault, which has caused numerous enemy deaths after various fire sites were destroyed.

Four youngsters aged seven to fourteen, four members of the Sikh community, a Muslim priest from a nearby madrasa, and farmers from Mankote, Bandichechian, and Sandigate were among those among them. Unfortunately, the strike also claimed the life of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, an Indian soldier who served with the Royal Artillery's 5 Field Regiment.

It also revealed Pakistan's clear and horrific disrespect for fundamental international law. These attacks against regular individuals and significant civilian locations were direct and merciless; they were not accidents.

Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, condemned the attack, stating, “The attack on Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha and the loss of Sikh lives is not just an event—it is a blow to humanity.” He requested both India and Pakistan to reduce tensions, and said that “both governments must act with wisdom, not weapons”.

They hit people by firing on regions free of the army. In addition to violating international humanitarian law, attacking civilians and public without a military justification might cause Pakistan to face significant legal and diplomatic consequences.

After the devastating 26-person Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, India launched Operation Sindoor, a revenge strike against nine terror places in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Aadrika Tayal