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| Pak Army targets Poonch Gurdwara, 3 Sikhs killed | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 7: In a tragic and targeted attack, the Pakistani Army shelled the Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Poonch town, resulting in the deaths of three Sikh civilians and significant damage to the sacred site. The attack, which occurred amid cross-border shelling following India’s Operation Sandoor, has sparked widespread outrage among Sikh organizations across India.
The deceased have been identified as Bhai Amrik Singh Raagi, a revered religious singer, Amarjeet Singh, a retired serviceman, and Ranjit Singh, a local shopkeeper. The shelling, which began early Wednesday, also claimed several other civilian lives and injured dozens along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch, the worst-hit district.
“Deeply condemn the cowardly attack by Pakistani forces on the sacred Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib, Poonch. The martyrdom of Bhai Amrik Singh Ji, Bhai Amarjeet Singh Ji & Bhai Ranjit Singh Ji is a tragic loss. India will not tolerate such barbarity”, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Union Minister, tweeted after the heinous act of the Pakistan Army.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the attack, calling it a “direct assault on a place of worship” and an “inhuman act” by Pakistani forces. In a statement on X, he demanded that the Indian government honor the victims as martyrs and deliver a strong response. “This is an attack not only on innocent lives but on the sanctity of our faith,” Badal said.
Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargarj, a prominent Sikh leader, also denounced the shelling, describing it as a “cowardly act” that targeted defenseless devotees and a sacred Gurdwara. He urged the Indian government to take decisive action to ensure justice for the victims and protect religious sites along the border.
Sikh organizations, including the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and various regional bodies, expressed grave concern over the deliberate targeting of the Gurdwara. They highlighted the historical significance of Sikh religious sites in the region and called for international intervention to safeguard minority communities and their places of worship. “The attack on Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha is an affront to the Sikh community and a violation of basic human values,” a spokesperson for the committee stated.
The Indian Army has retaliated proportionately to the ceasefire violations by Pakistan, which intensified after India’s precision strikes on nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir under Operation Sandoor. The operation was launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Indian authorities, including the Ministry of Defence, clarified that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted in Operation Sandoor, emphasizing that the strikes were aimed solely at terrorist infrastructure. However, Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling has disproportionately affected civilian areas, with Poonch bearing the brunt of the violence.
Sikh organizations have called for unity and resilience in the face of this tragedy, urging the government to enhance security measures along the LoC to protect civilians and religious sites. The attack has also reignited discussions about the safety of minority communities in conflict zones, with Sikh leaders appealing to the global community to condemn Pakistan’s actions.
The Indian government has assured a thorough investigation into the incident and promised a “befitting response” to Pakistan’s aggression. Meanwhile, the Sikh community in Jammu & Kashmir has been advised to remain vigilant and prioritize safety amid ongoing tensions. |
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