BY PC Bureau
Poonch/New Delhi, May 7, 2025 – The India-Pakistan conflict reached a critical juncture tonight as Pakistan intensified artillery shelling in Poonch, Kupwara, and Rajouri along the Line of Control (LoC), killing at least 15 Indian civilians and raising fears of a broader war.
India’s “Operation Sindoor,” a pre-dawn airstrike targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists, has triggered retaliatory barrages, with Pakistan reporting 26 civilian deaths. As civilian casualties mount, India faces mounting pressure to respond, risking a conflict with far-reaching consequences.
Deadly Shelling in Poonch Sparks Outrage
In Poonch, one of the hardest-hit areas, Pakistani shelling has claimed at least seven civilian lives, including Ruby Kaur, killed when a mortar struck her home, and three Sikhs in a gurdwara attack. Over 30 others are injured, with damaged homes, shops, and community buildings underscoring the devastation. A Poonch resident fleeing the violence lamented the lack of community bunkers, leaving families with nowhere to hide. Similar scenes have unfolded in Kupwara and Rajouri, where schools and airports have closed, and farmers scramble to harvest crops amid gunfire.
The shelling by the Pakistani army targeted civilian areas in Poonch and Tangdhar.
15 innocent civilians were killed and 43 others were injured.
india l Pakistan PoK l Palestine l U.S.-China l Lashkar-e-Taiba #OperationSindoor #IndianArmy #Pahalgam #MockDrill #IndiaPakistanWar pic.twitter.com/UzWsvAePAi— Sanjeev (@wing4destiny) May 7, 2025
ALSO READ: Deadly Retaliation: Pakistan Shelling Claims 15 Innocent Lives on J&K Border
Pakistan’s military accused India of targeting civilian areas, reporting 26 deaths, including a child in a Punjab mosque. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called India’s strikes an “act of war,” vowing a robust response after Pakistan’s National Security Committee met urgently. The shelling, escalating from small-arms fire to heavy artillery, marks a sharp violation of the 2021 LoC ceasefire, pushing both nations toward the brink.
India’s Ministry of Defence insists its strikes were “proportionate,” targeting Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed camps linked to the Pahalgam attack. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the operation’s precision but warned of a firm response to further aggression. With civilian deaths fueling public anger, particularly after the gurdwara attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces intense pressure to act decisively.
14-year-old Ayaan and 12-year-old Aruba lost their lives to Pakistani shelling in Poonch. 💔😭
Pakistan Army Sponsored Terrorism against Civilians Continues.
Time to turn their map into a memory.#Poonch #IndiaPakistanWar pic.twitter.com/XWU0qsAuML
— BigDog IFB (@MagaForce25537) May 7, 2025
Tonight’s developments could determine whether the crisis spirals into war. Further civilian deaths, especially in Poonch, could force India to escalate, with air or ground operations targeting Pakistani posts. Pakistan’s rhetoric suggests it may intensify shelling, risking a cycle of retaliation. Both nations’ nuclear arsenals raise the specter of miscalculation. Pakistan claims to have downed five Indian jets, though India has not confirmed this, while India’s strikes in Punjab signal bolder tactics. Closed airspace, halted trade, and displaced border residents are already disrupting the region. A prolonged conflict could draw in China, Afghanistan, or global powers. India’s tourism and agriculture in northern states and Pakistan’s Punjab economy face severe disruptions, deterring investors.
ALSO READ: Justice Served: India Releases Details, Videos of Operation Sindoor
Global Calls for Restraint
The international community is scrambling to avert disaster. U.S. President Donald Trump, briefed on India’s strikes, urged de-escalation, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for “maximum restraint.” Russia and the UK echoed similar pleas, but China’s pro-Pakistan tilt complicates diplomacy. Analysts suggest Beijing could mediate, leveraging its economic leverage over both nations, though its credibility with India is limited.
To avert catastrophe, experts urge immediate steps. Backchannel diplomacy via the UAE or U.S. could restore the 2021 truce. Both sides must avoid targeting populated areas and provide bunkers and aid. Independent verification of strike targets could reduce mutual accusations.
As Poonch reels from tonight’s shelling, the deaths of civilians like Ruby Kaur are a stark reminder of the human cost. If Pakistan intensifies its attacks and India retaliates, the conflict could engulf South Asia, threatening China’s economic stakes and global stability. With the world watching, both nations must choose between escalation and restraint before the crisis spirals beyond control.
