Daijiworld Media Network - Jammu
Jammu, May 9: A villager was killed and three others injured in heavy shelling by Pakistani forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and Rajouri districts early Friday morning, sparking swift retaliation from the Indian Army. The cross-border attack, marked by a series of high-intensity blasts between 3:50 am and 4:45 am, plunged border areas into darkness and triggered sirens, officials said.
The deceased was identified as Mohd Abrar of Loran, Poonch. Among the injured was his wife and another man, Layaqat Hussain of Chalery, Mendhar. All were shifted to hospital for treatment. Several homes and hundreds of vehicles were damaged in the shelling, officials added.
Drones and other flying objects were also detected and neutralised over Jammu region in the pre-dawn hours, with footage showing India's air defence systems in action. The attacks targeted multiple locations across Rajouri, Poonch, Jammu, Kupwara, and Baramulla districts.
In a major escalation Thursday night, Pakistani forces launched eight missiles aimed at civilian and strategic sites including Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia. However, Indian air defence units successfully intercepted all incoming threats, preventing casualties or structural damage.
“Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation. All nefarious designs will be responded to with force,” stated the ADGPI on X.
The fresh offensive follows Tuesday night’s heavy shelling, which claimed 15 lives and injured 43 civilians in Poonch and Tangdhar. Schools and colleges in affected areas have been shut as a precaution.
Deputy Commissioner of Poonch, Vikas Kundal, and SSP Shafket Hussain visited frontline villages to assess damage and reinforce security. Scores of civilians have been evacuated to relief camps in safer areas of Poonch, Rajouri, and Jammu districts.
As tensions continue to escalate, security forces remain on high alert along the Line of Control and the International Border, determined to thwart further infiltration and attacks.