HM Amit Shah visits affected families in Poonch sector, damaged Gurudwara during Pak's cross border firing

New Delhi, May 30

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Singh Sabha Gurudwara in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, which was damaged during Pakistan’s cross-border shelling. 

During the visit, Shah offered prayers at the Gurudwara and interacted with families affected by the shelling.

He met families directly affected by the cross-border firing incidents. The families expressed their pain and lisses. 

Addressing the gathering, Shah stated, “Pakistan targeted the civilian areas in J&K, and Poonch suffered the most damage. For the first time, firing was done on Poonch post-independence…The entire world is condemning the attack by Pakistan…The Indian Armed Forces gave a befitting reply by destroying nine Pakistani air bases, and as a result, they had to come forward for a ceasefire”.

Shah further said that on the night of May 7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces conducted a decisive operation, destroying terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

He described the action as a “befitting reply” to terrorists on behalf of India’s citizens, resulting in the elimination of hundreds of terrorists.

During his visit, the Home Minister also interacted with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at their Unit Headquarters in Khanetar, praising their role in Operation Sindoor. 

Shah visited religious sites damaged in the shelling and reviewed the security situation ahead of the Amarnath Yatra.

Addressing the gathering that included members of the bereaved families, Shah said: “I’m here to express my condolences to all such families. Pakistan did the most heinous act by attacking our citizens, their houses and religious places. Though we are giving job letters to the next of kin today, we all know that a job can never compensate the loss of human lives. However, this (job letters) is a gesture of Jammu and Kashmir government, Centre and the people of the nation that we are with you. The entire nation is standing like a rock with the families who have lost their members.”

The home minister recalled how innocent tourists were attacked in Pahalgam on April 22, which compelled India to hit back strongly. “It is PM Modi’s policy that every terror attack will be responded to strongly and promptly. Under this policy, our armed forces targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir on May 7. For the first time, the Indian armed forces destroyed the headquarters of terror outfits within Pakistan with precision strikes and killed hundreds of terrorists,” he said, adding, “A clear message went out to the world that terrorism won’t be tolerated anymore.”

“A desperate Pakistan attacked residential localities in Jammu and Kashmir and Poonch bore the brunt, probably witnessing the heaviest shelling since Independence. They targeted our religious places, such as a gurdwara, a temple and a madrassa,” Shah said. “Our armed forces destroyed nine of their air bases, compelling Pakistan to raise the white flag and seek ceasefire,” he further said. 

Shah announced that in the coming days, the Centre will come up with a special package for the damaged houses and business structures.