08/05/2025
10 Civilians K*lled, Over 40 Inj*red in Pakistan's Heavy Shelling Along LoC in Poonch
Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir โ In a tragic escalation of violence following Indiaโs Operation Sindoor, at least 10 civilians have been k*lled and more than 40 inj*red due to intense artillery shelling by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district. The shelling, which targeted civilian areas in Mendhar, Mankote, Balakote, Krishna Ghati, and Poonch town, has caused widespread destruction, reducing homes, schools, and religious sites, including the revered Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, to rubble. The att*ck, described by locals as deliberate targeting of civilians, has sparked panic, forcing families to flee to safer zones or take refuge in underground bunkers.
Operation Sindoor, launched by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7, 2025, involved precision missile strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), targeting outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terr*r att*ck that k*lled 26 people. Indian officials maintain that the strikes were โfocused, measured, and non-escalatory,โ with no civilian or military installations targeted. However, Pakistanโs retaliatory shelling has drawn condemnation, with Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal calling the attack on the Poonch gurdwara a โdirect ass*ult on a place of worship.โ The Indian Army has responded proportionately, causing significant damage to Pakistani military posts, while authorities have ordered the evacuation of border villages to ensure civilian safety.
The shelling has disrupted daily life across the region, with schools in Poonch, Rajouri, and Kupwara shut indefinitely and flight operations halted at 13 northern Indian airports until May 10. Residents report scenes of chaos, with shattered glass, collapsed roofs, and smoldering ruins marking the landscape. Social media posts on X reflect public outrage, with users labeling Pakistanโs actions as โwar cr*mesโ and calling for international attention to the civilian toll.