Jammu, May 7 (UNI) The army soldier attained martyrdom while 14 civilians, including a woman and four children, were killed and as many as 60 injured after Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling and artillery firing on Wednesday in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
The cross-border shelling started soon after Indian armed forces carried out missile attacks on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to avenge April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that had left 26 civilians dead.
Official sources here said that during overnight heavy firing by Pakistan, a woman, four children among 14 people and one army jawan, have lost their lives and 60 sustained injuries in the Poonch sector.
“The GOC and all ranks of White Knight Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of 5 Field Regiment, who laid down his life on May 7 during Pakistan Army shelling,” the White Knight Corps posted on X.
It further posted, “we also stand in solidarity with all victims of the targeted attacks on innocent civilians in #Poonch Sector.”
However, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kuamr, posted on X, “in view of the prevailing situation all Schools, Colleges and educational institutions (private as well as Government) in the districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch will remain closed tomorrow (Thursday) also.”
Meanwhile, a woman was killed when a mortar shell fired from across the border exploded in her house while her 13-year-old daughter suffered injuries, official sources said.
Border district Poonch remained the worst affected by shelling by the Pakistan Army, adding they said, “around 20 people suffered injuries in other parts of Poonch sector and in Thandikassi area of Rajouri, four people including two women have suffered injuries.”
“Several houses and vehicles have also been damaged in the heavy shelling by Pakistan,” they added.
They said that besides Mankote area, Indian Army befittingly responded to Pakistan Army in Krishna Ghati, Shahpur, Laam, Manjakote and Gambhir Brahmana areas in Rajouri also retaliated to the shelling.
The deceased were identified as Ruby Kour (33), Mohd Zain (10), Mohd Akram (42), Amarjeet Singh (47), Maryam Khatoon (7), Vihaan Bhargav (13), Amrik Singh (54), Ranjit Singh (48), Zoya Khan (12), Shakeela Bi (41), Mohd Rafi (40) and Mohd Iqbal (45), all residents of Poonch.
Meanwhile, the Army earlier said that during the night of May 6-7, Pakistan Army resorted to arbitrary firing including artillery shelling from posts across the Line of Control and International Border opposite Jammu and Kashmir.
“Due to the ongoing situation, Jammu (IXJ) Airport has been closed for civil flights until further notice and passengers have been advised to plan their journey accordingly and check flight status,” said an official.
However, heavy shelling was also reported from Baramulla, Kupwara and Uri in parts of Kashmir.
Locals said several houses were damaged in the intense shelling which began at 11 pm.
However, with arrangements already in place for relocating people to safer locations amid prevailing situation, the District Administration Poonch conducted a detailed review of preparedness at various designated shelter camps.
A team of senior officers, including Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), CPO, and Tahsildar Haveli, visited the proposed camp sites to assess the readiness of facilities and ensure all logistic and support systems are operational.
The locations designated as shelter camps for those willing to relocate are Caramel School, Chandak, Dingla University Campus, Ishat ul Uloom Chandak, Higher Secondary School (HSS), Chandak, GHSS Lassana, Government High School (GHS) Sanai, Government Middle School (GMS) Sanai, GHSS Seri Khawaja, Polytechnic College, Sathra.
The administration assured the public that essential services including accommodation, food, and medical assistance are available at all these shelter sites while people are being encouraged to make use of these facilities if they wish to relocate, said an official spokesman.
Jammu Police in an advisory for the general public have asked not to share, upload, or circulate any content related to security deployments, operational movements in the district.
Jammu Police as per the advisory, said, “all citizens of District Jammu are strictly advised not to share, upload, or circulate any content related to security deployments, operational movements, or sensitive locations on social media or any other public platforms.”
Such actions pose a serious threat to public safety and national security, and will attract strict legal action under relevant laws, read an advisory.
It further read, “District Police Jammu urges everyone to act responsibly and refrain from activities that may compromise the effectiveness of security operations or endanger lives. Your cooperation is crucial at this juncture for maintaining peace and public order,” it further read.
The security grid has also been heightened all along the International Border as well in Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts, said an official.
He said that the Border Security Force—the frontline force guarding the Jammu Frontier—is already on alert and keeping a close watch on the situation.
In the backdrop of Pahalgam attack, India during early hours of Wednesday has striked inside
PoK and Pakistan at various places against terror sites.
The Indian Armed Forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor', hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed, a Defence Ministry statement said.
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