Wed May 07 16:30:00 UTC 2025: ## 13 Killed in Cross-Border Shelling After India’s Military Strikes

**New Delhi, May 7, 2025** – At least 13 people, including four children and a soldier, were killed and 57 injured in intense cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir. The shelling, which began after India conducted missile strikes against nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), prompted hundreds of residents to seek refuge in bunkers.

The worst-affected area was Poonch district, where all 13 fatalities were reported along with 42 injuries. Rajouri, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts also experienced shelling, resulting in further casualties and damage to homes, vehicles, and a Gurdwara. The Indian Army stated that they responded to the ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces with equal measure.

Among the deceased were three members of the Sikh community killed in the shelling of a Gurdwara in Poonch. Several political parties in Punjab condemned the attacks. Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal strongly condemned the targeting of the Gurdwara on X (formerly Twitter).

The shelling, described as intense until noon, continued intermittently throughout the day, primarily affecting the Poonch sector. Evacuating victims proved difficult due to the ongoing shelling, which also damaged the Poonch bus stand.

The Indian government linked the Pakistani shelling to India’s preemptive Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine terror sites in Pakistan and PoK. The Defence Ministry stated that the operation was focused, measured, and non-escalatory, targeting only terrorist infrastructure and avoiding Pakistani military facilities. The ministry clearly connected Operation Sindoor to a previous attack in Pahalgam. Pakistan’s army confirmed six locations were targeted in Operation Sindoor.

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