POONCH, May 7, 2026 : Special prayers were organised at Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha on Thursday to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in Pakistani shelling that followed Operation Sindoor last year.
Devotees gathered at the historic gurdwara to pray for peace, remember the victims, and express solidarity with families affected by the cross-border attacks. Community members also condemned the shelling of civilian areas and religious places during the escalation along the Line of Control.
Poonch district emerged as the worst-hit region during the hostilities that erupted soon after India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, 2025. The military operation targeted nine terror infrastructures located in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
According to officials, 12 people were killed and 34 others injured in heavy artillery and mortar shelling carried out by Pakistan across border villages and densely populated civilian areas in Poonch district.
A representative of the gurdwara said the shrine itself came under direct shelling during the conflict. Although there was no loss of life within the premises, the gurdwara and its langar hall suffered significant damage.
“Soon after the shelling near the shrine, a mortar shell struck nearby residential houses, killing two civilians,” the official recalled while addressing reporters during the commemorative gathering.
He stated that the special prayers were held to mark the first death anniversary of the victims and honour their memory.
The official also noted that the shelling targeted places of worship belonging to all communities, including temples, mosques, and gurdwaras, reflecting an attempt to disrupt the long-standing communal harmony of the border region where Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs have coexisted peacefully for generations.
“The attacks did not spare religious places. Shells struck the gurdwara, temples, mosques, and community centres alike. Even an Islamiya teacher at a mosque lost his life during the shelling,” he said.
Among the victims were two minor siblings, Mohd Zain Khan (10) and his sister Zoya Khan (12), whose deaths deeply shocked the region. Another victim, Balvinder Kour, was killed after a mortar shell hit her home in Mankote, while her 13-year-old daughter sustained injuries.
Residents recalled the intense days of cross-border firing that affected villages including Mankote, Mendhar, Thandi Kassi, and parts of Poonch town. Despite the destruction, locals said the tragedy also highlighted the unity and resilience of the people of the region.
The official added that while the government had extended financial compensation and employment assistance to affected families, no support could replace the loss of loved ones.
The military tensions between India and Pakistan gradually de-escalated after hotline talks between senior army officials, leading to an understanding on halting military actions on May 10 last year.
