Peace Returns to Poonch: Principal of Christ School Speaks Out

Poonch, J&K, May 8, 2025: Cross-border shelling that has rattled Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district since the beginning of Operation Sindoora came to an end on Tuesday afternoon, offering much-needed relief to the local community. Father Shijo CMI, Principal of Christ School, Poonch, confirmed in an exclusive interview with Catholic Connect that the shelling ceased around 2 PM yesterday, and the situation has since calmed.

“We don’t hear any sounds of firing now,” Father Shijo said, reassuring that the area is peaceful at present. The cessation of hostilities has allowed for limited movement within the town, despite ongoing rainfall.

Father Shijo, along with another priest, Fr. Isaac, remains at the school, while other staff members have been evacuated to safer locations. The school played a critical role in ensuring the safety of its personnel during the intense shelling. “We gathered the staff at the school and had breakfast together. Later, one of our staff members, who holds a heavy vehicle license, drove a school bus to relocate everyone to a safer place,” Fr. Shijo shared.

Although the shelling has stopped, life in Poonch is currently far from normal. Many shops remain closed, with only a few open due to severely disrupted supply chains. “Traders are struggling to bring goods in from Jammu,” Father Shijo explained. “This has caused shortages of essentials like petrol and vegetables.”

Power supply, which had been cut off since the shelling began, was restored around 9 a.m today. Thankfully, the school continues to have an adequate water supply, thanks to its own borewell.

Tragically, three students from Christ School lost their lives in the shelling yesterday. “A shell fired from Pakistan struck the residence of two of the students, killing them instantly and injuring their parents,” confirmed Fr. Shijo. The two students and their parents were preparing to evacuate to their native village. Initially, they were inside their home when two shells landed nearby, causing panic. Fearing for their safety, they decided to leave their house and move to a safer location. As they stepped out of their residence, another shell struck, killing the two students on the spot and injuring their parents.

The third student was travelling to Jammu in a vehicle when a shell exploded nearby. A splinter from the blast struck the vehicle, and the student, who had briefly stepped outside, was killed instantly

While the immediate threat appears to have passed, the community continues to cope with the aftermath of the violence and disruption. Efforts to restore normalcy are underway, but uncertainty over the region’s security situation remains a concern.

By Catholic Connect Reporter