Poonch Shelling Leaves Sikh Community in Mourning
A devastating Pakistani shelling attack in Poonch district early Wednesday claimed the lives of four Sikh community members and damaged a local gurdwara, leaving the region in shock. The bombardment, described by eyewitnesses as more intense than the 1999 Kargil War, killed shopkeepers Amreek Singh and Ranjit Singh, ex-army official Amarjeet Singh, and homemaker Ruby Kaur when a shell exploded near them.
Amreek Singh, 39, operated a grocery store beneath his home and was the sole provider for his wife and three children. He was at Syndicate Chowk with Ranjit Singh, an unmarried shopkeeper known for his diligence, when the shell struck, killing both instantly. Ruby Kaur, 32, a mother of three, including a one-and-a-half-year-old, was killed in Mankote. Amarjeet Singh, 50, a devout Granthi who regularly performed Paath at the gurdwara, also perished. Amreek Singh, Ranjit Singh, and Ruby Kaur were cremated Wednesday, with Amarjeet Singh’s cremation scheduled for Thursday.
The shelling also struck Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, located near Amreek Singh’s shop, causing significant damage to its wall. The attack, a response to India’s Operation Sindoor, resulted in at least 10 civilian deaths and 40 injuries, mostly in Poonch. Numerous homes were damaged or set ablaze, forcing residents to flee to safer areas.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, condemned the violence, describing the attack on the gurdwara and loss of Sikh lives as a “blow to humanity.” In a statement reported by The Indian Express, he urged India and Pakistan to pursue diplomacy over conflict, emphasizing the suffering of border communities since 1947. “War always devours the innocent,” Gargaj said, calling for peace and prayers for the victims’ families.
The local Sikh population, estimated at 25,000 to 30,000, is reeling from the tragedy. “We have never witnessed such heavy shelling in Poonch before. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held an emergency meeting with border district officials to address the crisis, as many Poonch families began relocating to Jammu for safety.