In a tragic escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, seven individuals, including a senior Jammu and Kashmir government officer and two security personnel, lost their lives amid intense cross-border shelling and drone attacks in the Jammu region on Saturday. Over 25 others sustained injuries in the strikes, which were reportedly carried out by Pakistan.
The deadly exchange occurred just hours before a ceasefire agreement was reached between the two nations, following retaliatory strikes earlier in the week by the Indian Armed Forces on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These Indian strikes came in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, and was believed to have cross-border links.
Among the deceased was Additional District Development Commissioner of Rajouri, Raj Kumar Thapa, who succumbed to injuries after an artillery shell struck his official residence. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his sorrow over Thapa’s death and announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh to the families of those killed. He also visited affected areas and urged residents to remain cautious.
The Indian Army reported that Pakistani forces had launched mortar shells and kamikaze drone attacks across the border, targeting civilian and security installations alike. Defence officials condemned the escalation, calling it a blatant violation of India’s sovereignty. Pakistani munitions hit numerous residential and border areas, including Rehari, Roop Nagar, and Bantalab on the outskirts of Jammu city, forcing shops to close and residents to seek shelter.
Subedar Major Pawan Kumar of Himachal Pradesh was killed in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch when a Pakistani shell exploded near his post. Another casualty was BSF Sub-Inspector Mohammed Imteyaz, who died during cross-border firing in the R S Pura sector while leading a team on the front lines. At least seven other BSF personnel were injured in the incident.
In addition to the security casualties, civilian deaths included two-year-old Aisha Noor and 35-year-old Mohd Shohib, who were killed near an industrial area in Rajouri. In the Mendhar sector of Poonch, 55-year-old Rashida Bi died after a shell hit her home. Another civilian, Zakir Hussain (45), was killed in Bantalab, while others, including a local journalist, sustained injuries in various parts of the region.
The Indian Army and BSF retaliated strongly, claiming to have inflicted significant damage on Pakistani posts and assets. Debris from intercepted Pakistani kamikaze drones was found in open fields in Bishnah and Parmandal. Authorities warned residents to avoid contact with any unidentified materials or UAV debris, issuing helpline numbers and safety advisories.
While the situation eased following the ceasefire declaration, tensions remained high. In a late-night briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accused Pakistan of breaching the ceasefire understanding and urged Islamabad to act responsibly.
The cross-border violence marks one of the most severe escalations in recent months, threatening regional stability despite diplomatic attempts to de-escalate tensions.
