As a major escalation took place along the Line of Control (LoC) Pakistan Army launched heavy artillery and mortar shelling on forward villages in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 12 civilians, as per a report by PTI. Officials confirmed that around 57 others were also injured during the cross-border shelling on Wednesday. The counter-shelling took place hours after India conducted a precision strike on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir(PoK) under Operation Sindoor. The operations were done in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 lives were lost on April 22.
According to official sources, the worst-hit area was Poonch district, where all nine fatalities took place. Among the deceased were women, children, including 33-year-old Balvinder Kour alias Ruby, siblings Zoya Khan (10), Zain Khan (12), and six more. At least 28 civilians got injured in Poonch alone, some of them are critically injured.
Panic grip at border areas
The Pakistani shelling led to widespread panic, forcing residents to take shelter in underground bunkers or shift to safer places. According to the PTI report, intense firing was reported from multiple sectors, including Krishna Ghati, Gulpur, Balakote, Mendhar, and near Poonch district headquarters.
Meanwhile, dozens of houses were reportedly damaged, and several homes caught fire because of shell blasts. Shelling also extended to the Uri sector in Rajouri and Baramulla district, leading to the injury of additional civilians, including 5 children. As a precautionary measure, the government has announced the closure of all educational institutions all over Jammu, Rajouri, Samba, Kathua, and Poonch districts for the day.
A defence spokesperson stated that during the night of May 6-7, Pakistani troops engaged in ‘’arbitrary and unprovoked’’ shelling along with LoC and the International Border. In retaliation, the Indian Army launched strikes, reportedly causing ‘’significant casualties’’ and destroying several enemy posts.
The ADGPI mentioned on X, ‘’Pakistan again violates the Ceasefire Agreement by firing artillery in Bhimber Gali in Poonch-Rajouri area. Indian Army is responding appropriately in a calibrated manner.’’
This marks the 13th consecutive night of cross-border firing since the Pahalgam attack.
(With inputs from PTI)