Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday, arrived in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district to meet families affected by recent Pakistani artillery shelling.
His visit comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor—India’s targeted response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.
Rahul Gandhi’s visit is a significant show of support for civilians who have borne the brunt of cross-border hostilities.
He is the first national political leader to reach the region following the shelling, which resulted in 28 civilian deaths and more than 70 injuries between 7 and 10 May.
Accompanied by J&K Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra, Gandhi visited the shell-hit areas and inspected damage to multiple structures, including a gurdwara, a temple, a madrassa, and a Christian missionary school.
“He will meet bereaved families and civil society members. This visit is a gesture of solidarity and compassion,” Karra told reporters.
A Continuation Of Support
This marks Rahul Gandhi’s second visit to Jammu and Kashmir within a month.
He had earlier travelled to Srinagar on 25 April to meet victims of the Pahalgam attack and held discussions with J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other key stakeholders.
During that visit, Gandhi emphasised that such terror acts aimed to divide Indians, and called for national unity against terrorism.
His visit to Poonch also underscores the human toll following Operation Sindoor—India’s military response on 7 May targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The operation provoked retaliatory shelling by Pakistan, which struck civilian areas near the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), forcing thousands to flee to safer zones.
The Indian and Pakistani Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) agreed to a ceasefire on 12 May.
However, India has made it clear that this understanding will hold only if Pakistan halts support for terror groups operating on its soil.
Additionally, diplomatic ties, including trade and the Indus Waters Treaty, remain suspended.
Rahul Gandhi’s outreach in Poonch highlights the growing political and humanitarian concern over border hostilities.
His message calls for a united front in the face of terror and affirms the Opposition’s commitment to peace, resilience, and the protection of civilian lives in conflict-prone areas like Jammu and Kashmir.
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