Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is anticipated to visit Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Saturday, May 24, according to Congress party sources. The visit follows recent severe storms and cross-border shelling that have caused significant damage and hardship in the region.
Poonch was hit by a powerful storm on May 21, resulting in extensive damage to various structures, including government schools. Schools in areas close to the Line of Control (LoC), particularly Gagrian, Sawjian, and the Mandi zone, suffered severe structural damage, with roofs being blown away. A school staff member from the Mandi zone expressed gratitude for the Indian Army’s assistance in clearing debris and urged authorities to provide financial aid for reconstruction.
Beyond the storm’s impact, Poonch and neighboring Rajouri districts have also been affected by recent cross-border shelling from Pakistan. Additionally, locals in these districts have experienced damage to homes and loss of livelihood in the aftermath of “Operation Sindoor,” launched by India earlier this month.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has visited victims in both Poonch and Rajouri, assuring full government support, including rehabilitation assistance. He also held meetings with civil administration, police, and residents, announcing government jobs for the next of kin of victims and compensation for property losses. Sinha stated that a rehabilitation package for those affected would be approved by the Government of India and emphasized the need for new bunkers for the safety of J&K residents.
“Operation Sindoor” was initiated by India on May 7, following a terror attack in Pahalgan on April 22 that killed 26 people, including a Nepali national. In response to the operation, Pakistan reportedly attempted drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military sites, but these threats were neutralized by India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems.
