Escalation at LoC: 15 Civilians Killed, Indian Army Targets Pakistani Air Defence in Retaliatory Strikes
Tensions along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan have surged dramatically, with relentless cross-border shelling by Pakistani troops claiming the lives of 15 Indian civilians and injuring at least 59 others over the past two weeks.
The sustained assault, marked by the use of heavy artillery and mortar fire, has targeted several forward villages across Jammu and Kashmir, plunging the region into a state of fear and unrest.
The most severe toll was recorded in the Poonch district, where 13 civilians perished and 44 others sustained injuries due to repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the casualties, describing the attacks as indiscriminate and deliberate provocations against civilian populations.
Additionally, an Indian Army soldier, identified as Dinesh Kumar from the 5 Field Regiment, lost his life during Thursday’s heavy shelling.
The Indian armed forces have responded with calculated and proportionate force, targeting the Pakistani positions responsible for the aggression.
Evacuation of UN Personnel Amid Heightened Hostilities
Amid the intensifying conflict, United Nations personnel stationed in Poonch as part of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) were evacuated to safety.
The move comes in response to persistent artillery fire and the growing risk to international observers.
In parallel, the administration in the Uri sector has initiated the evacuation of civilians from border villages following two consecutive days of artillery attacks.
The Karnah region in Kupwara was also targeted, with Pakistani forces launching shell and mortar fire shortly after midnight. Although no civilian casualties were reported from the Karnah incident, the threat has prompted further displacement of residents.
India Strikes Back: Major Hits on Pakistan’s Air Defence
In a significant escalation, India launched targeted air strikes on Pakistan’s air defence infrastructure, particularly focusing on Chinese-origin HQ-9 surface-to-air missile systems stationed in Lahore.
According to sources in the Indian defence establishment, these systems were destroyed, leaving Pakistan’s air defence capabilities in that sector severely degraded.
An official statement confirmed, “Early this morning, Indian Armed Forces targeted multiple Pakistani air defence radars and missile systems. A key air defence unit in Lahore was neutralised as part of this response.”
The Indian retaliation was prompted by Pakistan’s earlier failed attempt to target Indian military installations in Jammu, Udhampur, and Pathankot. Drones and missiles were intercepted in Indian airspace late Thursday, with blackouts and sirens triggered as precautionary measures.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Counter-Terrorism Offensive
The renewed violence follows India’s recently launched Operation Sindoor — a high-precision offensive targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (Pok).
Conducted in the early hours of Wednesday, the operation focused on camps and assets linked to terror outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Defence sources indicate that nine major terror hubs were destroyed in strikes that spanned across key regions known for harbouring insurgents.
The operation was a direct response to the massacre of Hindu pilgrims in Pahalgam, an attack believed to have been orchestrated by Pakistan-backed terror networks.
Civilian Areas Bear the Brunt
Meanwhile, Pakistani shelling continues to wreak havoc along both the LOC and the International Border.
The most harrowing scenes have emerged from the Poonch and Tangdhar regions, where entire families have been affected. India Today TV’s ground reports from the border areas showcased the extent of the destruction: houses reduced to rubble, shattered glass strewn across streets, and homes left uninhabitable.
Late Wednesday night, Pakistan resumed shelling civilian areas in the Karnah sector of Kupwara. Mortar rounds and artillery shells struck dangerously close to residential zones, forcing the remaining civilians to flee. Many had already sought refuge following earlier attacks.
Heavy Casualties on Both Sides
Indian military officials have stated that the army’s counteroffensive inflicted “significant damage” on Pakistani military installations. Preliminary intelligence suggests substantial casualties on the Pakistani side, although exact figures remain undisclosed.
The situation along the LOC remains tense, with both militaries on high alert.
Senior Indian officials have reiterated that all retaliatory actions are being conducted within the bounds of national security and proportionality.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed security agencies to enhance border vigilance and prepare for any contingencies, especially in regions adjoining Pakistan and Nepal.
