CM Offers Support to Victims, Stresses Civilian Safety Measures After Operation Sindoor
Poonch/Jammu, May 12 – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday visited Poonch district to meet families affected by intense Pakistani shelling following India’s recent military action, Operation Sindoor. The visit came amid mounting civilian casualties and damage along the border areas.Poonch has suffered the heaviest toll in the ongoing hostilities, with 20 out of the 27 total fatalities reported from the region and over 50 people injured since Wednesday. The escalation began shortly after Indian forces carried out strikes on nine terror infrastructure sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Accompanied by advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Ajaz Jan, Chief Minister Abdullah visited shelling-impacted locations and met the families of victims, including those of Amarjeet Singh and Amrik Singh, offering condolences and support.
He also surveyed the Surankote area, where several border residents had been relocated to safer zones. Local officials and residents briefed the chief minister on the ground realities and urgent needs.
During the visit, Abdullah emphasized the immediate need to construct protective bunkers in border villages to safeguard civilians from future cross-border attacks. His minister, Javed Rana, updated him on administrative measures being implemented for relief and rehabilitation.
The chief minister is scheduled to visit the Rajouri district next week to continue his assessment of affected regions.
In a positive development, the situation along the border remained calm overnight, marking the first peaceful night in several days. This follows an understanding reached between India and Pakistan on Saturday to halt all military actions with immediate effect after four days of escalated drone and missile exchanges.
The chief minister's visit underscores the government’s focus on civilian protection and infrastructure preparedness amid ongoing tensions.
