Calm Returns to Poonch as Shelling Ceases; Civilians Flee to Safer Areas

Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir, May 7, 2025: After days of intense cross-border hostilities, relative calm has returned to the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir as shelling ceased on Wednesday afternoon. Fr. George CMI, a priest at Christ School in Poonch, confirmed that there has been no firing since midday.

“Two priests remain on the school campus, while the others, including priests, sisters, and staff, have relocated to safer areas,” he said. “Some residents of Poonch have also moved to Jammu for safety.”

Earlier in the day, several priests, nuns, school staff, and residents had taken refuge in an underground hall beneath Christ School, managed by the CMI congregation, amid ongoing shelling.

Tragically, between 6 and 7 a.m. this morning, a shell fired from Pakistan struck a house just behind the school, killing two students and severely injuring their parents. Fortunately, the school was closed for holidays, preventing further casualties.

Another shell hit a nearby convent run by the CMC congregation, damaging water tanks and destroying solar panel infrastructure.

The shelling comes amid escalating tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), following the launch of Operation Sindoora—a coordinated offensive by the Indian Armed Forces targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In retaliation, Pakistani forces launched heavy artillery and mortar fire across the LoC, marking the 13th straight day of cross-border hostilities.

So far, the recent wave of shelling has claimed at least 10 civilian lives and injured 33 others in the Poonch district. The wounded have been transported to local hospitals for medical treatment.

By Catholic Connect Reporter