12 People Killed as Jammu & Kashmir’s Poonch District Endures Cross-Border shelling
An even further escalation of ongoing tensions at the LoC has culminated with the heavy bombing of J&K’s poonch region with heavy artillery from Pakistani soldiers late on Thursday night which has led to the deaths of 12 civilians and over 30 sustaining serious injuries.
This specific attack is one of the most deadliest in recent years and has lead to villages being set ablaze and families being torn apart. There have been renewed appeals for urgent ailing which otherwise risk further aggravation of this heartbreaking crisis. Here is what details we could uncover about this tragedy.
Where And When Did The Attack Occur?
What time : The lengthy shelling began at roughly 10 pm on May 9 and went on for four relentless hours.
Location: The border region of the poonch region of Mendhar Balakote has suffered the most damage.
Consequences: Over a dozen lives have been taken including 5 women and 3 children. Over 30 other critically injured.
Mohammed Arif a Mendhar survivor had the following to say: To say that there was fire falling from the sky does not do justice to the reality we lived. Fire mortars were in the process of destroying homes, orchards and livestock, my family made an attempt to run into the forests in an attempt to seek refuge but my neighbors were not so lucky.
Rahul Sharma, 8: On the way to the hospital, shrapnel from an explosion punctured his chest, leading to his death.
Ghulam Nabi, 60: A farmer who was killed while shielding his cattle—his only source of revenue.
India’s Retaliation: “An Appropriate Response Given”
In an aggressive retaliation, the Indian Army attacked Pakistan’s forward posts in Rawalkot and Kotli sectors. Officials stated, “There was important infrastructural damage” on the other side of the border, but avoided speaking about civilian casualty claims. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned, “India will not tolerate any unprovoked aggression. Each drop of blood spilled will be avenged.”
Why Poonch? Understanding the Flashpoint of LoC Conflict
Poonch, a district with dense forests, has long been vulnerable due to:
Close proximity to LoC: Villages are located a mere 2-5 kilometers away from the border.
Strategic Importance: Critical pathways for attempted infiltration.
History of Violent Conflicts: 45+ ceasefire violations recorded in 2024 alone.
Unfolding of Gun Violence’ Humanitarian Crisis
Displaced Families: 200+ villagers shifted to tented camps; acute shortage of food and blankets reported.
Healthcare Overload: Single district hospital in Poonch in overflowed; patients in critical condition were sent to Jammu.
Psychological Trauma: Children displaying symptoms of PTSD, according to local NGOs.
Global Reactions: Silence or Solidarity
UN: Urged “immediate de-escalation,” but received criticism for using vague statements.
Pakistan: India ascribed “unprovoked aggression” as the reason behind the firing. Denied initiating fire themselves. India dismissed this reason as “baseless propaganda.”
Social Media: Users call for action as #StandWithPoonch trends.
What’s Next for Poonch?
Funerals Under Shadow: Mourners prepare for fresh attacks during their funeral processions.
Diplomatic Push: Timestamp for Ajit Doval’s appointment with the LoC strategy group is set. He’ll chair the emergency session.
Aid Mobilized: For the families suffering due to violence in Poonch, a relief package of ₹10 crore was announced.
Verdict: What’s Cycled? Pain, And Nothing More. Even If There’s No End in Sight.
While committing to retaliation, the distressing villages of Poonch underscore the brutal reality of relentless confrontations over borders. For them, silent serenity is a wish which is deeply concealed beneath destruction and sorrow.
Why This Matters:
Reported ceasefire breaches on LoC hit over 300 in 2023 (data from MHA).
Border zone civilian fatalities in J&K jurisdiction have escalated by 40% compared to 2021.
