Poonch: On Saturday, Rahul Gandhi, who heads the main opposition party in the Lok Sabha and Congress, traveled to the Poonch district to meet people whose homes were hit by cross-border shelling from Pakistan. From May 7 to 10, the shelling destroyed many sites and killed 13 people in Poonch. Gandhi called the situation sad and vowed to report the victims’ issues to the authorities.
In the morning, Gandhi travelled from Jammu airport to Poonch by helicopter. He spent an hour interacting with locals affected by the situation, and spoke with families who had suffered losses. After India launched Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorists in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, cross-border shelling killed 28 people in Jammu and Kashmir, mainly in Poonch. The community mourns the deaths of twins Zain and Zoya, who were just 12 years old.
While visiting, Gandhi visited the Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, a Hindu temple, a madrasa, and Christ High School to determine the extent of the damage. He talked to the school students, giving them positive messages: You’ve dealt with something scary, but all will return to normal eventually. Be sure to study well, play, and meet new friends; he reminded them to improve their mood and.
While speaking with reporters, Gandhi criticized the Pakistani forces for endangering innocent people, saying, “The situation is miserable.” Civilian areas were attacked by the Pakistan Army, resulting in huge losses. I heard what the people had to say, and they urged me to share their issues across the nation, which I plan to do. He stated on X that broken households, scattered things, emotional pain, and memories of loss are all faced with dignity by these families. I honor their courage and proudly back them up.”
With senior Congress figures like Jammu and Kashmir chief Tariq Hameed Karra and AICC general secretary G A Mir, Gandhi was welcomed by party members as the first national leader to enter the affected areas. Karra says the Pope’s attendance supported those who are suffering greatly. Officials in Jammu and Kashmir announced that families of the deceased would receive Rs. 10 lakh in help, and restoration steps are being undertaken.
It is the second time Gandhi has come to the Union Territory since 26 people, most of them tourists, were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack in April. When Prime Minister Modi visited Srinagar on April 25, he met with affected people. He spoke with local authorities led by Lieutenant Governor Sinha and Chief Minister Abdullah.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said Gandhi was being dishonest by framing the shelling as a “tragedy,” not as an act of terror. Shehzad Poonawalla, speaking on behalf of the BJP, said Gandhi’s words were irresponsible and similar to what Pakistan said, citing old statements by Congress on terror events. Congress, however, made it clear that Gandhi was determined to speak to the people victimized by the atrocities.
Following the Poonch attack, the government relocated several thousand people to relief camps near the Line of Control. Despite the May 10 ceasefire that ended the short war, the conflict marks remain. His visit showed everyone how much people suffer from conflicts, as more and more people urge immediate and lasting relief.