Unprovoked firing by the Pakistan Army along the LoC has left a trail of devastation in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming seven lives and injuring 38 others, including women and children. The attack, which occurred in the Gurez and Keran sectors, has drawn nationwide outrage and international concern.
Local accounts suggest the Pakistani side used 120mm mortars, a heavier class of artillery typically reserved for direct combat operations, to target civilian areas. Homes, grain stores, and even a local mosque sustained damage. “This was not a border skirmish; this was targeted terrorism,” said a village elder, standing outside a crumbled house.
The Indian government swiftly condemned the assault, calling it a “gross violation of the ceasefire understanding.” The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Indian forces responded with pinpoint retaliation, neutralizing several enemy posts. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with Islamabad and urged the international community to take cognizance of Pakistan’s repeated violations.
Emergency services and relief agencies are working round-the-clock to deliver aid to those affected. Dozens of people have been relocated to safer areas, while relief camps have been set up to provide food, shelter, and medical care.
Political leaders across party lines have voiced their anger over the loss of civilian lives. Several Members of Parliament have called for the deployment of advanced radar systems and early-warning networks in LoC villages. “This incident exposes the gap in our civil defense infrastructure,” said a former Army General now serving in Parliament.
For the families who lost loved ones, compensation offers and political speeches offer little solace. “We just want to live in peace,” said a grieving father who lost his 10-year-old daughter. “Is that too much to ask?”
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