In a deeply tragic turn of events, three civilians lost their lives and at least five others were injured in intense shelling by Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Mendhar region of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district late Tuesday night. Among those killed was a woman, highlighting once again how innocent lives continue to bear the brunt of escalating cross-border tensions.
The deceased have been identified as Mohd Adil, Saleem Hussain, and Ruby Kour. Their families, like many others living near the volatile border areas, had little time to seek shelter as shells rained down indiscriminately. The heavy artillery shelling, which began around midnight, not only claimed lives but also left several homes damaged, particularly in Dhakki village.
The Indian Army responded in kind to the unprovoked assault, which officials described as a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement. “Pakistan Army resorted to arbitrary firing including artillery shelling from across the LoC and IB opposite Jammu & Kashmir. The Indian Army is responding in a proportionate manner,” an official said.
This latest attack comes just hours after Indian forces reportedly carried out targeted precision strikes on terror launch pads across the border in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, which had claimed the lives of 26 civilians last month — the deadliest such strike in nearly two decades.
The situation further intensified in the early hours of Wednesday with reports of anti-aircraft fire and sirens blaring in Srinagar. Local sources confirmed heavy shelling in areas like Uri and Kupwara, where five civilians were injured in Salamabad village. The Srinagar airport was subsequently closed to civilian flights for the day, as a precautionary measure.
Since the April 22 attack, Pakistan has violated the 2021 ceasefire agreement nearly daily, but today’s assault marked the first instance of such large-scale artillery use in recent weeks. Officials believe the current pattern — simultaneous and sustained shelling at multiple points — represents a deliberate escalation by Pakistan, likely aimed at diverting attention from India’s intensified counter-terror operations.
The gravity of the situation has left border residents shaken, many of whom are now contemplating relocation in search of safety. As the conflict intensifies, their lives remain caught between crossfire and diplomacy, with little hope for peace in sight.
At a time when calm is desperately needed, the continued loss of innocent lives serves as a stark reminder of the fragile and often forgotten human cost of geopolitical hostility.
