🇮🇳🔥 Pak Shells Convent and School in Poonch, India Hits Back — Christian Institutions, Gurdwara Targeted in Fresh LoC Assaults 🔥🇮🇳
New Delhi/Poonch, May 9: In a deeply condemnable act, Pakistan resorted to heavy shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on the morning of May 7, targeting not only Indian military positions but also places of worship and schools, including a Carmelite convent and a Gurdwara.
A Pakistani artillery shell struck the Christ School in Poonch, run by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate congregation.
The blast landed behind the school compound, killing two students and severely injuring their parents in a nearby home. Another shell damaged the Christian convent, destroying solar panels and water storage tanks.
Fortunately, the school was closed for the day — a small mercy in a horrific morning.
As Pakistani shells rained down, nuns, priests, school staff, and local residents were forced to take shelter in an underground hall at the school.
“This was not crossfire. This was a deliberate attempt to spread terror and target soft civilian and religious infrastructure. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing the media in Delhi.
In another attack, a Gurdwara in Poonch was also targeted by Pakistani artillery, killing several civilians including the Ragi Sahib (prayer singer).
Misri added, “Pakistan is now plumbing new depths by targeting places of worship — churches, Gurdwaras, schools — and then spreading disinformation to cover it up.”
India responded swiftly. According to Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, “We neutralized multiple Pakistani drone incursions across 36 locations — from Leh to Sir Creek — using kinetic and non-kinetic measures.
One Pakistani UAV trying to target Bathinda military base was taken down. Four of our armed drones hit their radar and air defence systems deep inside Pakistan.”
Forensic analysis of drone debris revealed Turkish-made Songar drones, pointing to third-party facilitation in Pakistan’s offensive.
Col. Sofiya Qureshi, spokesperson for Northern Command, said, “The intention was clear — to cripple our air defence and civilian morale. Instead, they’ve exposed themselves as rogue players on the world stage.”
Even as the Indian Air Force maintained a civil aviation no-fly zone, Pakistan shockingly kept its civilian airspace open, using commercial aircraft as potential shields.
Misri emphasized, “Flying civil aircraft in a war zone is criminally irresponsible. Pakistan’s tactic of using civilians as human shields — even in the skies — will not go unnoticed.”
The government has escalated the matter to global forums, with the External Affairs Minister briefing counterparts from the US, UK, and Norway. All three have reaffirmed solidarity with India and supported its stand on zero tolerance towards terrorism.
Meanwhile, locals in Poonch held candlelight vigils for the deceased children and victims of the school and Gurdwara attacks.
The Carmelite sisters of Christ School, still shaken, vowed to continue their mission of peace and education.
