Jammu, May 12, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha met the family of a civilian killed in unprovoked cross-border shelling by Pakistan Rangers in Jammu’s R S Pura sector, offering condolences and assuring comprehensive support. The shelling, part of escalated hostilities following India’s Operation Sindoor—a retaliatory strike against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack—has claimed 18 civilian and seven security personnel lives, including BSF Constable Deepak Chingakham, since May 7, 2025.
During the visit, LG Sinha expressed solidarity with the bereaved family, emphasizing the government’s commitment to their welfare. “The loss of innocent lives to Pakistan’s unprovoked firing is heartbreaking. I met the family of the civilian killed in Jammu and assured them of our full support. The government stands firmly with those affected, prioritizing their security and rehabilitation,” Sinha stated. The civilian, a resident of R S Pura, was among those killed in intense artillery attacks that also injured over 50 people and displaced thousands across Jammu, Poonch, and Rajouri districts.
Sinha announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh for the kin of the deceased and assured assistance with rehabilitation, including access to shelter, healthcare, and livelihood support. He also reiterated the administration’s focus on constructing bunkers to protect border residents from future attacks. The LG’s visit to the family followed his inspection of the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Jammu, where he reviewed treatment for shelling victims, and a shelter centre, where he met displaced families.
The US-mediated ceasefire, effective from 5 PM on May 10, 2025, has brought tentative calm, though sporadic firing persisted earlier, exacerbating civilian suffering. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who visited Poonch on the same day with advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Ajaz Jan to console affected families, echoed Sinha’s commitment to relief measures and border security. Both leaders have prioritized contingency planning to mitigate the crisis’s impact, which has damaged homes, schools, and religious sites, including a gurdwara and a mosque.
Sinha, who also attended a wreath-laying ceremony for Constable Chingakham in Paloura, Jammu, condemned Pakistan’s ceasefire violations and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to safeguard citizens. “We are mobilizing all resources to support those affected and ensure justice for lives lost,” he said. The administration is coordinating with the BSF and Indian Army to strengthen border defenses while expediting relief efforts for displaced and injured residents.
The civilian’s death, alongside other casualties, has intensified calls for robust protective measures in border areas. Sinha’s engagement with the family underscores the government’s focus on addressing the human toll of the conflict amid ongoing border tensions and Manipur’s ethnic strife, which has added emotional weight to Chingakham’s martyrdom.
