The North News
New Delhi, May 7
At least 12 civilians, including a woman and three children between the ages of 12 and 14, were killed and 42 others were injured in overnight heavy firing and shelling by the Pakistan military across the Line of Control and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, according to media reports. A Gurudwara located near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch sector was targeted in a cross-border shelling attack from Pakistan, resulting in the tragic deaths of four civilians.
Among those killed were Bhai Amrik Singh, a raagi (religious hymn singer), along with Amarjeet Singh, Ranjit Singh, and Ruby Kaur. The Gurudwara, a space dedicated to communal prayer and peace, was struck during a time of religious observance, sparking anger and grief across the Sikh community and beyond.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly condemned the incident, calling it “utterly deplorable.” In a statement, he said, “A place where Ardaas is offered for the well-being of all humanity has been attacked — this is beyond shameful. Targeting innocent civilians is completely wrong and deserves the strongest condemnation.”
CM Mann extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families, praying for peace for the souls of the departed and strength for their loved ones. “We pray to Guru Sahib to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and the strength to their families to bear this unbearable loss,” he said in his post X.
The attack has reignited concerns over civilian safety along the tense LoC, where sporadic violence continues to disrupt lives despite ceasefire agreements.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has condemned what he described as a deliberate and inhuman attack by Pakistani forces on a central Gurudwara in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of Sikh devotees.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Badal wrote: “Strongly condemn the inhuman attack by Pakistani forces on the sacred Central Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Poonch, in which three innocent Gursikhs, including Bhai Amrik Singh Ji (a raagi Singh), Bhai Amarjeet Singh and Bhai Ranjit Singh, lost their lives.”
