On Saturday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived in Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, to meet with victims of the cross-border shelling that occurred earlier this month. This marks his second visit to the Union Territory since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in 26 fatalities, primarily tourists.
Following the Pahalgam attack, Gandhi had visited Srinagar on April 25 to meet those injured and held discussions with the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Minister, and various stakeholders.
Upon his arrival at Jammu airport on Saturday morning, Gandhi proceeded to Poonch via helicopter to visit areas impacted by the shelling and offer condolences to affected families, a Congress leader confirmed.
The Poonch sector experienced intensified artillery and mortar shelling after India conducted precision strikes on May 7 under Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These strikes were a response to the Pahalgam massacre. Between May 7 and 10, a series of artillery shelling, missile, and drone strikes by Pakistan led to 28 deaths across Jammu and Kashmir, with 13 in Poonch district alone, and over 70 injuries. The escalation forced thousands to evacuate their homes near the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border, seeking refuge in government relief camps. An understanding to cease military confrontation was reached between India and Pakistan on May 10 after four days of intense cross-border attacks.
Tariq Hameed Karra, president of the Congress’ Jammu and Kashmir unit, stated on Saturday that Gandhi’s itinerary includes visiting shell-damaged structures such as a gurdwara, a temple, a madrassa, and a Christian missionary school. He will also meet with bereaved families and civil society members. Karra emphasized that Gandhi is the first national leader to reach out to the affected population, expressing solidarity and sharing their suffering.
During his previous visit to Jammu and Kashmir last month, following the terror attack, Gandhi had remarked that the attack aimed to sow division among the people of the country, underscoring the importance of India’s unity to decisively defeat terrorism.
