At least ten civilians, including two children, were killed and around 30 others injured in cross-border shelling and firing in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch sector late Tuesday, according to the Indian Army.
The incident took place along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border. The Army stated that it responded to the firing in a proportionate manner.
The victims have been identified as Mohd Adil, Saleem Hussain, Ruby Kour, Mohd Akram, Amrik Singh, Ranjit Singh, Mohd Rafi, Mohd Iqbal, and two minors – Mohd Zain and Zoya Khan.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is expected to meet officials from the affected border areas to discuss the situation.
The exchange of fire followed a military operation earlier that day, during which Indian forces reportedly conducted air and ground strikes targeting several locations described as training facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation, named ‘Sindoor’, was said to involve all three branches of the Indian armed forces – the Army, Navy, and Air Force – and marked the first such joint action since the 1971 conflict.
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Sources cited by NDTV claimed the strikes resulted in an estimated 70 fatalities and around 60 injuries among suspected militants, potentially affecting the operational strength of the targeted groups. Pakistan has reported nine civilian deaths on its side of the border.
Indian officials have previously shared what they described as evidence suggesting involvement of elements within Pakistan in planning a recent attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead. The Resistance Front, believed to be linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, had claimed responsibility.
Reported strike locations included Bahawalpur, Muridke, Gulpur, Sawai, Kotli, Sarjal, Barnala, and Mehmoona – areas said to be associated with various armed groups.
The Indian military reportedly employed a range of precision weapons in the operation, including SCALP cruise missiles, Hammer bombs, and loitering munitions—drones capable of hovering over targets before striking.
Source: With input from NDTV