Jammu: Seven people, including a woman and two children, were killed and 38 others injured on Wednesday as Pakistan Army shelled dozens of forward villages with artillery and mortars along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
The worst-hit area was Poonch district, where all seven deaths took place and 25 people were injured. Ten people were injured in Uri sector of Baramulla district, and three others in Rajouri district.
The shelling came after India carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Indian forces responded to the ceasefire violations with equal force. Officials also said that Pakistani Army suffered losses in India’s retaliatory action.
Schools closed in several Jammu and Kashmir districts
In view of the situation, the divisional commissioner of Jammu announced that all schools, colleges and educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch will remain closed to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Officials said that during the night of 6–7 May, Pakistan Army opened fire from across the LoC and the International Border, including artillery shelling. Three civilians were killed in this overnight attack, and many residents sought safety in underground bunkers.
Ceasefire violations were also reported from Bhimber Gali in the Poonch-Rajouri sector and Karnah in Kupwara district.
Operation Sindoor
Indian government launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7 as a response to Pahalgam attack. Around 1.30 am, India conducted airstrikes on nine terror-linked locations, resulting in the reported deaths of three people. The operation aimed at targeting terror infrastructure only and not any Pakistani military installations.
India’s statement on airstrike
Following the airstrike, the Ministry of Defence released a statement saying that India had exercised precision and restraint, ensuring that no military facilities were targeted. The statement highlighted that the action was solely aimed at addressing the threat of terrorism. Despite this, Pakistan continued to fire across the LoC, leading to further civilian casualties.
