Jammu: Over a dozen people including children were killed and 43 others injured in heavy cross-border shelling by the Pakistan Army in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. The escalation came hours after Indian forces launched precision strikes on nine terror bases in Pakistan and PoK under “Operation Sindoor,” following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam which left 26 civilians dead.
Officials said Pakistan Army began “arbitrary firing, including artillery shelling,” shortly after midnight on May 6–7 from positions along the Line of Control and the International Border.
“The Indian Army is responding in a proportionate manner,” a defence spokesperson said. In retaliation, Indian forces destroyed several Pakistani posts and inflicted multiple casualties.
Poonch district hit hardest
Poonch bore the brunt of the shelling. All reported deaths came from this district, while 30 out of the 43 injuries were recorded here. Many of the injured are in critical condition.
Among those killed were Balvinder Kour alias “Ruby” (33), Mohd Zain Khan (10), Zoya Khan (12), Mohd Akram (40), Amrik Singh (55), Mohd Iqbal (45), Ranjeet Singh (48), Shakeela Bi (40), Amarjeet Singh (47), Maryam Khatoon (7), Vihaan Bhargav (13), Mohd Rafi (40), and three others yet to be formally identified by the authorities.
The shelling damaged homes, vehicles, and public infrastructure across Balakote, Mendhar, Mankote, Krishna Ghati, Gulpur, Kerni, and parts of the Poonch district headquarters. Mortar shells hit the bus stand in Mendhar.
Additional injuries were reported in Kupwara and Baramulla districts (10, including five children) and Rajouri (three civilians). Houses caught fire in Karnah sector due to the intensity of shelling.
Panic among border villages
“Suddenly, firing from across the border happened. It was a terrible night for the people here,” said Abdul Husain, a resident of a border village, told ANI. He pointed to unfinished bunkers. “Thirty per cent of the bunkers promised by the government are fully constructed, the rest are not.”
A woman injured in the attack said, “In the early hours, the shelling happened. Our house was completely damaged. I don’t know where we will go now.”
Villagers rushed to underground shelters or fled to safer locations as local authorities evacuated the wounded under fire. The Srinagar airport was temporarily closed as a precaution.
Over dozen civilians killed along LoC in Poonch
