Srinagar: The Indian Army issued a strong and proportionate response to unprovoked small arms and artillery fire initiated by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) during the night of May 7 and 8, officials confirmed.
According to a statement released by the Indian Army, Pakistani forces opened fire in areas opposite the Kupwara and Baramulla districts, as well as the Uri and Akhnoor sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. “During the night of May 7-8, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked fire using small arms and artillery guns across the LoC in these areas. The Indian Army responded proportionately,” the statement said.
This latest round of cross-border firing follows the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Since then, Pakistan has increasingly engaged in ceasefire violations, prompting robust countermeasures from India.
In response to the Pahalgam attack, Indian forces launched Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, carrying out precise strikes on nine terror infrastructure sites located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The targets reportedly included key operatives and camps of terrorist groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) responsible for orchestrating attacks on Indian soil.
Defence sources reported that artillery shelling by the Pakistan Army hit civilian areas in Poonch and Tangdhar, resulting in the deaths of 15 civilians and injuries to 43 others since Tuesday night. The shelling has caused widespread panic among residents, damaging several homes and critical infrastructure. Reports mention shattered window panes, cracked walls, and other forms of property destruction.
The Pakistan Army’s continued targeting of civilian zones has drawn sharp criticism. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the attacks, stating that targeting innocent civilians is unacceptable. He offered his condolences to the families of the victims and urged peace and restraint.
The Indian Army remains on high alert, monitoring developments along the LoC as ceasefire violations persist.
