Jammu, May 12, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited a shelter and lodgement centre in Jammu on Monday to meet families displaced by unprovoked cross-border firing by Pakistan Rangers. The visit follows a week of intense shelling along the International Boundary and Line of Control, triggered by India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Addressing the affected families, LG Sinha reaffirmed the government’s commitment to their safety and well-being, stating, “I met the families affected by unprovoked firing by Pakistan at a shelter and lodgement centre in Jammu. The government is actively supporting and prioritizing the well-being and interests of its citizens. Your safety, security, and prosperity are our top priority.” The shelling, which claimed 18 civilian and seven security personnel lives, including BSF Constable Deepak Chingakham in R S Pura, has displaced thousands, particularly in Poonch, Rajouri, and Jammu districts.
At the centre, Sinha interacted with families, assuring them of comprehensive relief measures, including ex-gratia payments of ₹10 lakh for the kin of those killed and medical support for the injured. He reviewed the facilities at the shelter, ensuring access to food, water, and healthcare. The administration is also expediting the construction of bunkers to protect border residents from future attacks, a measure emphasized during his visit.
The LG’s visit coincided with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s trip to Poonch, where he, alongside advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Ajaz Jan, met families impacted by the shelling. Both leaders underscored the need for robust contingency planning and infrastructure strengthening. Sinha, who also attended a wreath-laying ceremony for Constable Chingakham at the BSF Frontier Headquarters in Paloura, Jammu, saluted the martyr’s sacrifice, stating, “The nation stands in solidarity with the family of our brave son, Deepak Chingakham, who laid down his life for the country.”
The US-mediated ceasefire agreement, effective from 5 PM on May 10, 2025, has brought tentative calm to the region, though sporadic firing was reported before the truce. LG Sinha expressed optimism about restoring normalcy, noting, “The government is working tirelessly to ensure peace and stability while addressing the immediate needs of those affected.” He also directed district officials to accelerate relief distribution and rehabilitation efforts for displaced families.
The firing, which damaged civilian homes, schools, and religious sites, including a gurdwara and a mosque, has drawn widespread condemnation. The Jammu and Kashmir government, in coordination with the BSF and Indian Army, is enhancing border security to prevent future violations. Sinha’s visit reinforces the administration’s resolve to prioritize citizen welfare amid ongoing tensions and Manipur’s internal ethnic challenges, which have added emotional weight to Chingakham’s martyrdom.
