Kupwara, May 13, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Kupwara district today to assess the impact of recent cross-border shelling by Pakistan, which has left homes, religious sites, and public infrastructure in ruins. The visit comes as the region reels from escalated tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor, a targeted strike against terror networks in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir .
Abdullah, joined by district officials, toured shelling-hit areas, meeting affected families and inspecting damaged properties. Speaking to locals, he assured swift government action. “Thankfully, no lives were lost in Kupwara, but the destruction is significant. We are assessing losses to ensure fair compensation,” he said. He also visited Kupwara’s Sub District Hospital to check on injured residents, directing authorities to provide comprehensive medical support.
The shelling, described as some of the heaviest in recent years, targeted civilian areas across Kupwara, Uri, Poonch, and other border districts, forcing temporary evacuations. While a military understanding between India and Pakistan has restored calm since Saturday, the scars of the conflict remain. Abdullah emphasized the need for resilience, praising the region’s communal unity. “Homes, temples, and madrasas were hit indiscriminately, yet our people stand together,” he noted.
The Chief Minister instructed officials in Kupwara, Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Jammu to expedite damage surveys and disburse relief. He also called for constructing additional fixed and mobile bunkers to safeguard civilians in future flare-ups. “We must be prepared to protect our people,” he said, dismissing Pakistan’s military rhetoric as “baseless propaganda.”
This marks Abdullah’s second visit to shelling-affected areas in two days, following his trip to Poonch, where 20 of the 27 reported fatalities occurred. The J&K government has announced Rs 10 lakh for families of the deceased and is fast-tracking infrastructure repairs to restore normalcy.
Abdullah’s hands-on approach signals the administration’s focus on rehabilitation and security along the Line of Control (LoC). As residents begin returning home, the government faces the challenge of rebuilding trust and infrastructure in a region long plagued by cross-border tensions.
