Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, May 21, 2025 – Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the Brigade Headquarters in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, to meet with personnel of the Indian Army and Border Security Force (BSF) amid heightened tensions in the region following recent cross-border incidents. The visit, which took place as part of ongoing efforts to bolster security and morale, was widely covered on social media and by local news outlets.
During his visit to the Shakti Vijay Brigade Headquarters in Tangdhar, Sinha was briefed on the planning and execution of Operation Sindoor, India’s targeted response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. The Lieutenant Governor interacted with troops, commending their valor, morale, and unwavering dedication to safeguarding the nation’s borders. He lauded the armed forces for their critical role in maintaining security in the volatile border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, which have faced significant challenges due to recent Pakistani shelling and ceasefire violations.
The visit comes in the context of intensified cross-border tensions, with Poonch bearing the brunt of heavy artillery and mortar fire from Pakistan following India’s Operation Sindoor. The operation, launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam attack, targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The shelling has caused significant damage, with reports of civilian casualties, injuries, and destruction of homes in Poonch, Rajouri, and other border areas. At least 15 civilians were killed and 43 injured in Poonch and Tangdhar due to Pakistani firing, prompting evacuations and the closure of educational institutions in the region.
Sinha’s engagement with the Indian Army and BSF personnel underscores the administration’s commitment to supporting security forces in their efforts to counter terrorism and maintain peace. The Lieutenant Governor also reviewed the ground situation with administrative and police officials, emphasizing the need for swift assistance and rehabilitation for affected families. The Poonch district administration has launched the “Report to Support” initiative to ensure no affected family is left without aid, with village-level committees assessing damages caused by the shelling.
The Indian Army’s bomb disposal squad recently destroyed a live Pakistani shell near a village in Poonch, averting a potential disaster and earning praise from local residents. The BSF also thwarted a major infiltration attempt by seven Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operatives in the Samba sector, highlighting the vigilance of security forces in the region.
