In the wake of heavy shelling by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC), residents of border villages in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir are reeling from the loss of life and widespread destruction. Thirteen civilians have been killed and 44 others injured, with many homes and properties severely damaged.
Local communities, particularly the Sikh population, have voiced deep anguish over the lack of protective infrastructure. “Our Sikh community has suffered immense damage… this woman has three children and has lost too much. We urgently need bunkers,” a local resident pleaded, calling on the government for immediate support and peace.
The atmosphere in the affected villages remains tense, with grieving families mourning their loved ones. Women’s cries echoed through damaged homes, underscoring the scale of human suffering. Villagers emphasized the urgency of building bunkers and restoring calm to their region.
Mohammad Naseem, block youth president of the National Conference, urged authorities to ensure relief for the affected. “One of our sisters has died. We need peace, not war. Relief must be provided to the victims, and bunkers are a necessity,” he said.
Another resident, Mohammad Nawaz Mughal, whose property was damaged, praised the government’s retaliatory strike under Operation Sindoor, but stressed the need for rehabilitation. “PM Modi’s action is commendable, but we request the government’s help. My son’s house is damaged,” Mughal told ANI.
The ceasefire violations by Pakistan followed India’s precision strikes on May 7, which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Since then, Pakistan has intensified its shelling of civilian areas, prompting urgent calls from affected communities for safety, support, and a return to peace.
