Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, May 21, 2025 – Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited Poonch on Wednesday to meet families affected by recent cross-border shelling by Pakistan, which claimed lives and caused significant damage, including to Gurudwara Nangali Sahib. The visit, centered at the Dak Bungalow, was part of a series of engagements to address the humanitarian and security challenges in the border district following the May 7, 2025, shelling and the broader context of Operation Sindoor.
Paying homage to the victims, LG Sinha stated, “I pay homage to those who lost their lives in shelling by Pakistan… Multiple people were injured, and J&K arranged for their immediate treatment… Efforts are being made to compensate for the loss of lives… The Central and J&K governments are rehabilitating people. A government job will be given to at least one of the kin of those who died in the cross-border firing by Pakistan… Individual and community bunkers will be made in huge numbers… Poonch hospital will be prepared for any kind of emergency…”
Accompanied by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, and senior police and military officials, LG Sinha announced a compensation package of ₹16 lakh and one government job for the kin of each deceased victim. He emphasized the administration’s commitment to rehabilitating affected families and enhancing infrastructure, including the construction of individual and community bunkers to ensure the safety of border residents. Additionally, he directed upgrades to Poonch hospital to handle emergencies effectively.
The LG’s visit followed his engagements at the Poonch Brigade headquarters, where he lauded the Indian Army and Border Security Force (BSF) for their vigilance along the Line of Control (LoC), and at Gurudwara Nangali Sahib, where he offered prayers. These actions reflect a multi-pronged approach to address security, community welfare, and resilience in Poonch amid ongoing tensions.
LG Sinha’s assurances have been met with appreciation from locals, who see the measures as critical for restoring normalcy and supporting communities impacted by the shelling. The administration’s focus on bunkers and healthcare upgrades underscores its priority to safeguard border residents against future threats.
