Jammu, May 10, 2025- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Rehari and Roopnagar in Jammu on May 10, 2025, to assess damage from recent Pakistani shelling, part of escalating India-Pakistan tensions. The attacks have caused widespread disruption, drawing concern for affected residents.
The pain and disruption faced by residents is deeply concerning. We stand with every affected family and will ensure all necessary support is provided without delay.”
In Rehari, artillery shelling around 6 a.m. on May 10 damaged a house and vehicles. A resident told PTI, “It seemed like a heavy object fell. Smoke took 15 minutes to clear.” In Roopnagar, debris landed near Aap Shambhu Temple, but early alerts prevented casualties. Jammu Police and SDRF have secured the areas, collecting shell fragments for analysis.
The shelling has hit civilian infrastructure across Jammu, Rajouri, and Poonch, killing at least 15 civilians and injuring 43. In Rajouri, Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa was killed when his residence was struck on May 10, with two staff members critically injured. Homes, schools, and religious sites, including a gurudwara and mosque, have been damaged.
The attacks follow India’s “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, 2025, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after a Pahalgam attack killed 26 civilians. Pakistan retaliated with drone and artillery strikes on 26 Indian locations, leading to Indian missile interceptions and counterstrikes. The LoC has seen 14 nights of ceasefire violations, with clashes in Rajouri, Poonch, Kupwara, Uri, and Baramulla.
Schools in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch are closed until May 12, 2025, with online classes implemented. Blackouts were enforced in Jammu, and 10,000 residents from five border districts are in relief camps. Abdullah has promised swift aid, with 11 houses destroyed in Rajouri’s Karia village.
Poonch resident Balbir Singh told ANI, “Our homes, gurdwaras, temples, and mosques are damaged, but we won’t leave. We stand with the Army.” X posts condemn Pakistan, though unverified. Pakistan denies targeting civilians, calling Indian claims “politically motivated.”
With ongoing retaliatory actions, escalation fears mount. The international community calls for restraint, but de-escalation is uncertain. Abdullah’s visit emphasizes urgent relief efforts for Jammu and Kashmir’s affected communities.