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Mint
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
15 civilians killed, 43 injured in Pakistan's ‘barbaric' shelling in J&K's Poonch and Tangdhar after Operation Sindoor
Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the Jammu and Kashmir region witnessed heavy shelling from across the border on Wednesday. Soon after India launched 'Operation Sindoor' early Wednesday, Pakistan's 'barbaric' shelling left a trail of destruction – damaged houses, broken shops, burnt vehicles, bloodstains and debris-littered streets. At least 15 people were killed and 43 others injured in the cross-border artillery and mortar shelling from the Pakistani army along the Line of Control (Loc) in Jammu and Kashmir. 'Artillery firing by the Pakistan Army since last night has hit civilian areas in Poonch and Tangdhar. Caused the death of 15 innocent civilians and injured 43 others,' defence officials said. Among the worst-hit border areas was Poonch district. Rajouri district in Jammu region, and Uri, Karnah and Tangdhar sectors in Kupwara district also witnessed the Pakistani shelling. Residents and officials described the indiscriminate shelling by Pakistani forces as 'barbaric and cowardly', according to the PTI report. The shelling started around 2 AM in the entire border belt, leaving dozens of residential houses damaged, with their inhabitants running for cover after being woken up by the deafening sound of explosions. The Pakistani forces used heavy artillery and mortars, targeting dozens of forward villages and densely populated civilian areas in Mankote, Mendhar, Thandi Kassi and Poonch city, a police officer said, according to a PTI report. 'Targeting unarmed civilians is not bravery. It was is a cowardly act by Pakistan,' the officer said, as per the report. 'It was like a war zone with the injured screaming for help and families forced to look for cover. The damage could be seen everywhere,' Mohd Zahid, a local resident, said as he thanked his luck for escaping the shelling. Over 150 residents of Dhaki have shifted to the homes of their relatives after more than a dozen houses were damaged by the shelling. 'We were not expecting such a situation at the dead of the night. We were lucky to survive the shelling and, therefore, it was better to move to some safer place for the time being,' said Khurshid Ahmad, a resident of Dhaki. 'Pakistan is retaliating to India's operation by targeting the civilian population. They missed the military targets and shelled us heavily overnight, killing our people and injuring many. The damage to our homes and property is massive,' said Sardar Navneet Singh from Mankote. Videos circulating on social media showed the horror unfolding in the affected areas, drawing widespread outrage. The officials said the Indian Army is responding to the shelling in a befitting manner, resulting in many casualties on the enemy side after several of their posts engaged in firing were destroyed, according to the report. India launched 'Operation Sindoor' in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The Indian Air Force (IAF) hit nine terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday.
Economic Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Heavy Pak shelling leaves trail destruction in J-K's Poonch
PTI Poonch: A civilian looks at damaged properties after heavy firing and shelling by Pakistan military overnight across the Line of Control and International Border, at Mendhar area of Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir. At least three civilians were killed and ten injured in the incident, according to officials. Heavy Pakistani shelling in the border district of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir left behind a trail of destruction on Wednesday. Nine people were killed and 28 others injured in the cross-border artillery and mortar shelling in this worst-hit border district, soon after India launched 'Operation Sindoor' early Wednesday to hit nine terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The Pakistani shelling was not only restricted to Poonch, but was also witnessed in the forward areas of nearby Rajouri district in Jammu region, and Uri, Karnah and Tangdhar sectors in Kupwara district. The indiscriminate shelling, described by residents and officials as "barbaric and cowardly", started around 2 am in the entire border belt, leaving dozens of residential houses damaged with their inhabitants running for cover after being woken up by the deafening sound of explosions. The Pakistani response involved the use of heavy artillery and mortars, targeting dozens of forward villages and densely-populated civilian areas in Mankote, Mendhar, Thandi Kassi and Poonch city, a police officer monitoring the situation on the ground said. The shelling left a trail of destruction -- damaged houses, broken shops, burnt vehicles, bloodstains, and debris-littered streets. Even heritage sites like the Poonch Fort and ancient temples were not spared. "Targeting unarmed civilians is not bravery. It was is a cowardly act by Pakistan," the officer said. The residents in Poonch city reported a sleepless and terrifying night with shells exploding in close quarters, echoing through the hills. "It was like a war zone with the injured screaming for help and families forced to look for cover. The damage could be seen everywhere," Mohd Zahid, a local resident, said as he thanked his luck for escaping the shelling. More than 150 residents of Dhaki have shifted to the homes of their relatives after over a dozen residential houses were damaged by the shelling. "We were not expecting such a situation at the dead of the night. We were lucky to survive the shelling and, therefore, it was better to move to some safer place for the time being," said Khurshid Ahmad, a resident of Dhaki. Shells also landed near the UN station and forest department buildings in Poonch, causing extensive damage to both the structures. Five of the shelling victims, including two minor siblings -- Mohd Zain Khan (10) and his elder sister Zoya Khan (12) - died in the vicinity of the town. "Pakistan is retaliating to India's operation by targeting the civilian population. They missed the military targets and shelled us heavily overnight, killing our people and injuring many. The damage to our homes and property is massive," said Sardar Navneet Singh from Mankote. Mankote reported the first of the nine deaths in the Pakistani shelling when a mortar shell hit the house of Kala Singh, killing his wife Balvinder Kour and injuring their 13-year-old daughter. Mohammad Sadiq, a forest guard, said two of his colleagues were wounded after shells exploded near their office. Many frightened residents have started fleeing their homes in search of safer zones. "We are moving to safer places. There's fear everywhere," Maqbool Ahmed, who left Poonch with his family in a private vehicle, said. Videos circulating on social media showed the horror unfolding in the affected areas, drawing widespread outrage. Fire service teams have been deployed to control the blazes sparked by the shells. The local administration is coordinating the relief efforts, even as the situation remains tense with intermittent shells still hitting the area. National Conference MLA Aijaz Jan said, "The situation is worrisome given the damage caused by the shelling. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is closely monitoring the developments." Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP S P Vaid condemned Pakistan for targeting the civilian population. "The Indian forces hit terrorist targets like the headquarters of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which have targeted security forces and innocent civilians in Jammu and Kashmir for the past 35 years," he said, hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for keeping his promise of avenging the Pahalgam killings. However, Vaid said that Pakistan once again exposed its behaviour by targeting civilians living close to the border. The Indian Army is responding "in equal measure" to the ceasefire violations, officials said, reaffirming that civilian safety remained its top priority.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Heavy Pak shelling leaves trail destruction in J-K's Poonch
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Heavy Pakistani shelling in the border district of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir left behind a trail of destruction on Wednesday. Nine people were killed and 28 others injured in the cross-border artillery and mortar shelling in this worst-hit border district, soon after India launched ' Operation Sindoor ' early Wednesday to hit nine terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Pakistani shelling was not only restricted to Poonch, but was also witnessed in the forward areas of nearby Rajouri district in Jammu region, and Uri, Karnah and Tangdhar sectors in Kupwara indiscriminate shelling, described by residents and officials as "barbaric and cowardly", started around 2 am in the entire border belt, leaving dozens of residential houses damaged with their inhabitants running for cover after being woken up by the deafening sound of Pakistani response involved the use of heavy artillery and mortars, targeting dozens of forward villages and densely-populated civilian areas in Mankote, Mendhar, Thandi Kassi and Poonch city, a police officer monitoring the situation on the ground shelling left a trail of destruction -- damaged houses, broken shops, burnt vehicles, bloodstains, and debris-littered streets. Even heritage sites like the Poonch Fort and ancient temples were not spared."Targeting unarmed civilians is not bravery. It was is a cowardly act by Pakistan," the officer residents in Poonch city reported a sleepless and terrifying night with shells exploding in close quarters, echoing through the hills."It was like a war zone with the injured screaming for help and families forced to look for cover. The damage could be seen everywhere," Mohd Zahid, a local resident, said as he thanked his luck for escaping the than 150 residents of Dhaki have shifted to the homes of their relatives after over a dozen residential houses were damaged by the shelling."We were not expecting such a situation at the dead of the night. We were lucky to survive the shelling and, therefore, it was better to move to some safer place for the time being," said Khurshid Ahmad, a resident of also landed near the UN station and forest department buildings in Poonch, causing extensive damage to both the of the shelling victims, including two minor siblings -- Mohd Zain Khan (10) and his elder sister Zoya Khan (12) - died in the vicinity of the town."Pakistan is retaliating to India's operation by targeting the civilian population. They missed the military targets and shelled us heavily overnight, killing our people and injuring many. The damage to our homes and property is massive," said Sardar Navneet Singh from reported the first of the nine deaths in the Pakistani shelling when a mortar shell hit the house of Kala Singh, killing his wife Balvinder Kour and injuring their 13-year-old Sadiq, a forest guard, said two of his colleagues were wounded after shells exploded near their office. Many frightened residents have started fleeing their homes in search of safer zones."We are moving to safer places. There's fear everywhere," Maqbool Ahmed, who left Poonch with his family in a private vehicle, circulating on social media showed the horror unfolding in the affected areas, drawing widespread service teams have been deployed to control the blazes sparked by the shells. The local administration is coordinating the relief efforts, even as the situation remains tense with intermittent shells still hitting the Conference MLA Aijaz Jan said, "The situation is worrisome given the damage caused by the shelling. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is closely monitoring the developments."Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP S P Vaid condemned Pakistan for targeting the civilian population."The Indian forces hit terrorist targets like the headquarters of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which have targeted security forces and innocent civilians in Jammu and Kashmir for the past 35 years," he said, hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for keeping his promise of avenging the Pahalgam Vaid said that Pakistan once again exposed its behaviour by targeting civilians living close to the Indian Army is responding "in equal measure" to the ceasefire violations, officials said, reaffirming that civilian safety remained its top priority.
