Indian Army Vows Strong Retaliation Following Civilian Deaths in Poonch

Indian Army issued a strong condemnation of the killing of innocent citizens in Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday, asserting that such incidents would be met with harsh and punitive retaliation.

The response was made following a deadly round of mortar shelling by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC), which resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals, including one soldier, and injured another 59.

"Indian Army joins hands with innocent civilians who are victims of indiscriminate enemy army-directed attacks in the Poonch sector," the army said in a statement.

The statement further said, "The nefarious plans of our adversaries have been and will continue to be thwarted with strong and punishing action."

The shelling occurred a day following the Indian Armed Forces conducting 'Operation Sindoor,' a large-scale counter-terror operation against nine high-profile targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The ceasefire agreement violations by Pakistan continued for the 14th consecutive day on Thursday, further aggravating tensions along the LoC even after the operation.

In the midst of this unjustified belligerence, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of Palwal in Haryana, aged 32, was martyred in the line of duty at the forward posts. He succumbed to injuries from the intense cross-border mortar and artillery firing.

"General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff, and all Indian Army ranks tribute the supreme sacrifice of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar who laid down his life on 07 May 2025 amidst ceasefire violations of Pakistan Army at the Line of Control," read the army eulogy.

The declaration also mentioned the bravery of Kumar and added that he staunchly defended India's sovereignty on the border until the last breath.

According to a Ministry of Defence press release, "On the night of 07-08 May 2025, Pakistan Army posts indulged in unprovoked firing with Small Arms and Artillery Guns along the LoC in sectors opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, and Akhnoor in J&K. The Indian Army retaliated proportionately."

The continuous aggression, particularly the shelling of civilian zones, has seen more calls for a firm and long-term reaction to Pakistan's repeated ceasefire violations.