Recent Events in Poonch and Along the LoC
- In the aftermath of India’s Operation Sindoor-precision missile strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK)-Pakistan retaliated with heavy artillery and mortar shelling across the Line of Control (LoC), especially targeting Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.
- The shelling resulted in significant civilian casualties: at least 12 people, including four children, were killed and 57 others injured in Poonch alone. Among the dead were three Sikhs killed when a shell hit the Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Poonch.
- Overall, reports indicate 15 Indian civilians were killed and 43 injured in Poonch and Tangdhar due to Pakistani shelling and firing following Operation Sindoor. Civilian homes and infrastructure have suffered severe damage, with many families displaced.
Operation Sindoor: Indian Strikes
- Operation Sindoor was launched by India as retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people.
- The operation involved 24 missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK, destroying camps linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
- Indian sources claim over 70 terrorists were killed and more than 60 wounded in these strikes.
Pakistan’s Response and Further Escalation
- Pakistan’s military reported 26 Pakistani civilian deaths and 35 injuries from the Indian strikes, with claims that civilian-not militant-targets were hit.
- Heavy cross-border shelling followed, with both sides reporting casualties and damage. Pakistan also claimed to have shot down several Indian aircraft, though these claims remain unconfirmed by India.
Situation in Poonch and Bhimber Gali
- Poonch district, including areas like Bhimber Gali, has been among the worst affected by the shelling, with civilian casualties and destruction of property.
- Artillery and mortar fire from across the LoC have left many civilians injured and homes destroyed, with local residents expressing fear and uncertainty about their safety.
Summary Table: Civilian Casualties (May 7, 2025)
| Location | Indian Civilians Killed | Indian Civilians Injured | Pakistani Civilians Killed | Pakistani Civilians Injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poonch & J&K | 15 | 43 | 26 | 35 |
Key Points
- Poonch district has suffered heavy civilian losses due to cross-border shelling.
- Operation Sindoor marks a significant escalation in India-Pakistan tensions, with both sides suffering casualties and infrastructure damage.
- The situation remains tense, with ongoing concerns about further escalation and civilian safety along the LoC
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