So far, 13 civilians have lost their lives in Poonch, while a total of 59 people, 44 of them in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, have been injured after Pakistan resorted to ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) said on Thursday. The heavy shelling by the Pakistani military was an act of retaliation for the May 7 ‘Operation Sindoor’ on Wednesday, in which Indian forces struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
“We Want Peace,” Says Villager
Pakistan has been resorting to unprovoked small arms ceasefire after Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam Terror attack. A civilian living in the border areas after the destruction due to continued ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army said that they want peace in the country. While speaking to ANI, one of the villagers talked about the incident suffered by the locals, saying, ” We came outside when we heard sounds of shelling around 3 am today. There is only smoke and damage here now. We want peace.”
Another Civilian Requests Govt For Help
Another civilian who has suffered damage to his property said, “The action taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against Pakistan is very good. We request the government to help us, as my son’s house is damaged.” The civilian establishments in one of the villages along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir have suffered serious damage in ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
#WATCH | A civilian who has suffered damage to his property says, "The action taken by PM Modi (against Pakistan) is very good. We request the government to help us, as my son's house is damaged." pic.twitter.com/r3zukIYn3z
---Advertisement---— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2025
Cross-Border Firing Forces Akhnoor Families To Flee Homes
Meanwhile, in the Akhnoor sector, families living near the Line of Control (LoC) have been forced to leave their homes once again due to ongoing cross-border firing and to take shelter at safer places. Ajit Singh, a resident of Palatnagarh village, which is just 200 metres from the Pakistani border, recalled past experiences.
Singh said they were recently advised to evacuate. “Yesterday, we met the BLO (Block level officer). They told us to leave immediately. We walked until we saw a vehicle and spent the night here with our children,” he said, referring to their current temporary shelter. He recalled being displaced during the Kargil war in 1999. “We were sent to camps then. Later, we were told this place would be safe. Now, five or six families from my village stay here.”
Singh said more than 20 people, including six families, took shelter last night. “It was cold at first, but better now,” he added. The local administration monitors the situation and has arranged temporary relief for the displaced families.
Also Read: MEA: ‘Giving State Funerals To Terrorists May Be A Practice In Pakistan’
