Poonch Victims: Civilians as targets of shelling

Four minors fell victim to the shelling while a hymn singer, tabla player, shopkeeper and homemaker were also killed and a gurdwara was also struck and suffered damage to its wall; hasty irresponsible reportage included slurring of an innocent civilian killed as a ‘terrorist’; preliminary reportage has counted the victims in Poonch alone to be 15 though numbers are expected to rise further
Image: Reuters

Four minors were among the 15 persons identified as victim of cross border (read Pakistani) shelling in Poonch district of Jammu on May 7. While the Sikh community reeled in shock at the lives lost in the cross border shelling post May 7, the Gurudwara Nangal Sahib that was hit re-opened to devotees on the morning of May 8 itself. Besides, while both the traditional, entrenched legacy media post May 7 were full of triumphant details of India’s ‘targeted attacks’ on ‘terror camps’ across the border, it was social media that highlighted the human losses suffered in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Locals posted news and losses reported from Poonch to Akhnoor in the Jammu division which they say were being pounded by heavy artillery and mortar. There have been serious casualties and loss of life on the Indian side after civilian areas in Poonch town were the main targets of the Pakistani retaliation, something not seen earlier. By 7 p.m. yesterday, May 7, most of the population in Poonch town had fled towards Jammu.

While Poonch is reportedly the worst hit, several sectors in Kashmir Valley were also reportedly rocked by shelling. The Indian Army confirmed that a soldier had died on Wednesday. “GOC and all ranks of White Knight Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of L/Nk Dinesh Kumar of 5 Fd Regt, who laid down his life on May 7 during Pakistan Army shelling. We also stand in solidarity with all victims of the targeted attacks on innocent civilians in Poonch sector,” the 16 Corps, Indian Army, posted on X.An unconfirmed list of other civilians killed by Pakistani shelling (totalling 15) – published by Maktoob Media includes: Balvinder Kaur alias Ruby (aged 33), Mohd Zain Khan (aged 10 years), Zoya Khan (12), Mohd Akram (40), Amrik Singh (55), Mohd Iqbal (45), Ranjeet Singh (48), Shakeela Bi (40), Amarjeet Singh (47), Maryam Khatoun (7), Vihaan Bhargav (13), Mohd Rafi (40) and three identified.

The local Sikh community suffered a heavy loss as at least four of its members were killed and the wall of a gurdwara was damaged when Pakistan reportedly launched heavy shelling early Wednesday in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Eyewitnesses described the intensity of the bombardment as worse than during the 1999 Kargil War. Social media first reported that according to officials, Amreek Singh and Ranjit Singh—local shopkeepers—ex-army official Amarjeet Singh, and homemaker Ruby Kaur were killed instantly when a shell exploded near them, sending shockwaves through the community.

Meanwhile, the family of Mohammad Iqbal, who was killed in the shelling at Poonch, and who worked as a teacher at the Jamia Zia Ul Uloom has taken strong objection at news channels ABP News, Zee News and TV 18 for dubbing the slain victim as a ‘terrorist.’ They have urged the Poonch District Collector and the Poonch police to also initiate action, and have now been reported to have decided to initiate legal action against the errant channels themselves.

On May 7, the shelling took the roofs of Amreek Singh’s shop reducing it to rubble while the nearby gurudwara, Nangali Sahib was also struck during the shelling. Situated in the lap of a picturesque hill on the banks of the Drungali Nallah, it is situated about four kilometres from Poonch town and in Poonch distrct in the Jammu region. It is also recognised as one of the oldest shrines for the Sikhs in northern India.

Amarjeet Singh (50), a devout Granthi who regularly performed Paath at the gurdwara is a former army person who, died in the shelling. He is survived by his wife, a son in Class 6, and a daughter. Amarjeet Singh also played the tabla at the gurdwara, while another victim, Amreek Singh, was a raagi who sang hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib at another gurdwara in Poonch. Both were killed at different locations.

Amreek Singh (39) also ran a small grocery shop below his house. He was the sole breadwinner of his family and is survived by two daughters and a son. He was with Ranjit Singh at Syndicate Chowk when a shell exploded in front of them, reported Indian Express. Both died on the spot. Amreek Singh had gone to open his shop. Meawnhile, Ruby Kaur (32), a homemaker, was killed in Mankote. She had three children, the youngest just a year and a half old.

The local Sikh population in Poonch, is estimated between 25,000 and 30,000, has been left shaken. “We have never witnessed such heavy shelling in Poonch before. We saw the Kargil war, but civilian establishments largely remained untouched. We thought we had learned to live under shelling. Today, that illusion was broken,” said Narinder Singh.

Following the incident, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, condemned the shelling. “The attack on Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha and the loss of Sikh lives is not just an event—it is a blow to humanity,” he said. He has also called for diplomacy, Jathedar Gargaj urged both India and Pakistan to reduce tensions. “Both governments must act with wisdom, not weapons,” he said. “Since 1947, this conflict has caused suffering, including to Hindus and Sikhs near the border. How many more must pay for a conflict they did not create?” asked Gargaj. “War always devours the innocent. Peace is not weakness—it is the strength we must summon.”


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