12 dead in Pakistan shelling across LoC, Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch worst hit

NEW DELHI: At least 12 people, including four children, were killed and 57 injured on Wednesday in shelling by Pakistani Army in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir including Line of Control. Poonch district bore the brunt of the shelling, accounting for all civilian fatalities. Additionally, 42 people were injured, with several in critical condition.

This came after Indian Armed Forces launched strikes at terrorist infrastructure and sites in Pakistan and PoK under " Operation Sindoor ".

Indian Army is responding firmly to the shelling, inflicting significant casualties on the Pakistani side after destroying multiple enemy posts involved in the attack, PTI reported citing officials.

Shelling was reported across multiple areas along the LoC in Poonch, including Balakote, Mendhar, Mankote, Krishna Ghati, Gulpur, Kerni, and even the Poonch district headquarters, officials said, adding that dozens of houses and vehicles were damaged in the attacks.

Ten people injured, including five children, while three others were wounded in Rajouri district. In Karnah sector of Kupwara, several houses caught fire as a result of the shelling.

"In view of the prevailing situation, all schools, colleges and educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch will remain closed today," Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar said on X.

This marked the 13th consecutive night of unprovoked cross-border firing in Jammu and Kashmir, as tensions continue to escalate in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Nationwide mock drills

Indian armed forces conducted the anti-terror strikes on a day when nationwide mock drills were held for emergency preparedness amid tensions with Pakistan. The mock drills were held on instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs.