The Sikh community in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, is reeling from a devastating cross-border shelling incident by Pakistan on Wednesday, which claimed the lives of four civilians and damaged a gurdwara.
Witnesses compared the intensity of the attack to the 1999 Kargil conflict, calling it the worst shelling in recent memory. The victims include local shopkeepers Amreek Singh and Ranjit Singh, former army personnel and granthi Amarjeet Singh, and homemaker Ruby Kaur. A shell exploded near them, killing all four instantly and shaking the community to its core.
The shelling also damaged a wall of the Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, close to Amreek Singh’s shop. Though the structural damage was minimal, the emotional impact was enormous. Amarjeet Singh, a tabla player and path reciter, was also the father of two school-aged children. Amreek Singh, a raagi, leaves behind three children. Ranjit Singh was known for his quiet dedication, and Ruby Kaur was the mother of three, her youngest just a toddler.
Narinder Singh of the Gurdwara Committee said, “We thought we were used to border life. That illusion is shattered.” The attack has sparked panic, with many families fleeing to Jammu.
Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj condemned the attack, calling it a tragedy for humanity. “Peace is not weakness,” he urged. “Let wisdom, not war, guide both nations.”
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also condemned the targeting of civilians, offering prayers and support to the grieving families.
Read Also: