Pakistan targeted civilian areas in J&K, and Poonch suffered most damage, says Amit Shah
Amid tight security, Amit Shah arrived in Jammu on Thursday (May 29, 2025) evening to assess the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and meet affected people in Poonch during his first visit to the Union Territory after Operation Sindoor, officials said.
'Pakistan carried out a highly condemnable attack on residential areas and religious places', said Amit Shah.
Commenting on the damages suffered by people in Poonch during shelling by Pakistan, he said, 'A programme has been organised to distribute appointment letters to the family members of those who were killed in these attacks. We all know that compensation and government jobs cannot compensate for the damage that has been done to their lives. However, it is just to express the feelings of the Jammu and Kashmir government, Centre and people of India that we are with them.'
Home Minister #AmitShah visits Dungas in Poonch. Several properties were destroyed here in shelling and firing from Pakistan, post #OperationSindoor.
🎥PTI pic.twitter.com/ZJzPYUnhBX — The Hindu (@the_hindu) May 30, 2025
'Pakistan targeted the civilian areas in J&K, and Poonch suffered the most damage. For the first time, firing was done on Poonch post-independence. The entire world is condemning the attack by Pakistan. The Indian Armed Forces gave a befitting reply by destroying nine Pakistani air bases, and as a result, they had to come forward for a ceasefire', Amit Shah added.
Amit Shah on Amarnath Yatra
Mr. Shah said that the central government and the Jammu and Kashmir administration will leave no stone unturned to provide all necessary facilities to the pilgrims of the annual Amarnath Yatra.
The 38-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-meter-high cave shrine in south Kashmir is scheduled to start on July 3 and conclude on August 9, according to the announcement made by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
"The central government and J&K administration will leave no stone unturned to facilitate the pilgrims with all necessary facilities," Mr. Shah said on X.
He instructed officials to maintain the utmost vigilance and ensure the seamless completion of the sacred yatra.
On Thursday (May 29, 2025) night, he chaired a high-level review meeting for the Amarnath pilgrimage and evaluated the security arrangements and preparedness for the pilgrims.
Mr. Shah also reviewed the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir at the meeting.
During his two-day stay in the Jammu region, Mr. Shah is also visiting religious places on Friday (May 30, 2025) and meeting people and BSF personnel affected by shelling in the district, which recorded the highest number of civilian casualties — 14 out of the total 28 deaths — during Pakistani shelling and drone attacks between May 7 and 10, they said.
The journey to the Amarnath cave shrine can be undertaken through two routes — the traditional 48-km route via Pahalgam in south Kashmir''s Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steeper Baltal route in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district.
The Centre has ordered the deployment of 580 companies, comprising about 42,000 on-ground personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), for the annual Amarnath Yatra.
(With inputs from PTI)
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