15 Civilians Killed in Pakistan Shelling After Operation Sindoor
In a deadly fallout of India’s Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched indiscriminate retaliatory shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border, resulting in the deaths of 15 Indian civilians and injuries to at least 43 others in Jammu and Kashmir. The cross-border aggression struck villages in the Poonch and Tangdhar regions, causing widespread destruction and fear among local residents.
The heavy shelling began hours after India carried out precision airstrikes targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These strikes were conducted in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. While India emphasized that the operation was measured, focused, and avoided Pakistani military installations, the Pakistani military response appeared to directly target civilian habitations.
Widespread Damage and Civilian Casualties
Reports from ground zero detail the horrific impact of the Pakistani retaliation. Mortar shells rained down on densely populated villages, flattening homes and forcing families to flee to temporary shelters. Several videos and images captured the aftermath, showing debris scattered across roads and entire structures reduced to rubble.
Among the deceased were women and children, caught in the sudden barrage without time to evacuate. Medical teams and army personnel have been deployed to the affected zones, where hospitals are struggling to treat the injured amid ongoing alerts for further escalation.
India Responds, Region on High Alert
The Indian Army has since mounted retaliatory measures, targeting Pakistani military posts believed to be behind the firing. Defense sources confirmed that Indian units have responded with equal intensity, with the goal of neutralizing offensive positions along the border.
Both countries remain on high alert, with military activity intensifying in forward posts. Civilian areas near the border have been placed under lockdown conditions, and the administration has activated emergency protocols to safeguard lives and infrastructure.
While India maintains that its initial action under Operation Sindoor was a legitimate counter-terrorism operation, the latest developments underscore the high cost civilians bear in such confrontations. As international observers call for restraint, the situation continues to evolve rapidly with both armies engaged in strategic posturing.
