Escalating tensions saw Pakistan shelling Poonch, resulting in 10 civilian deaths, including children. This came after India’s strikes, with Pakistan further making ‘fake’ claims of downing of multiple Indian warplanes and a drone.
BY PC Bureau
After India struck terror bases in Pakistan and PoK late Tuesday night, triggering a volatile escalation, Pakistan retaliated with heavy shelling in Poonch early Wednesday, killing 10 civilians, including a 12-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy, and injuring around 30. Amidst this, Pakistan has made ‘ fake’ claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft – three Rafale, one SU-30, one MiG-29, and one Heron drone.
However, the Indian government and fact-checkers debunked these claims, asserting that no jets violated Pakistani airspace and that missiles were fired from Indian territory.
This cross-border violence follows India’s “Operation Sindoor,” a series of precision strikes on alleged terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan and PoK, which India stated was in response to the April 22 Pahalgam militant attack that killed 26 Indian and one Nepali tourist.
Pakistan Resorted to Heavy Shelling in #Poonch on Civilians after Indian #ARMY Targets 9 Terror Sites in Pakistan & PoK .3 Civilians killed and Heavy Demage to Civilian reported. pic.twitter.com/27GXuPEtx7
— Shanawaz Khan (Journalist） (@nnshahnawaz) May 7, 2025
ALSO READ:Â Operation Sindoor Strikes Terror Hubs, Kills 80 in Pak, PoK
The Indian Army has responded with proportionate measures, targeting Pakistani military positions along the LoC. Local authorities are evacuating residents and have closed schools in several border districts as a precaution.
Lt Colonel Suneel Baratwal, PRO (Defense), Northern Command, stated that Pakistan initiated “arbitrary firing including Artillery shelling” across the LoC and International Border (IB) opposite J&K. Local reports indicate intense firing in Krishna Ghati, Shahpur, and Mankote in Poonch, as well as Laam, Manjakote, and Gambeer Brahmana in Rajouri, and artillery fire in Uri and Tangdhar sectors of Kashmir.
Meanwhile, a Pakistan Military spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhary, claimed to Reuters that Pakistan had shot down five Indian aircraft. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Bloomberg that his country’s military had downed five Indian jets and taken an unknown number of Indian soldiers prisoner, stating, “They have taken the initiative, we have just responded.” India has not yet commented on these claims.
India’s statement on “Operation Sindoor” detailed the targeting of nine sites in Pakistan and PoK, asserting that the actions were “focused, measured and non-escalatory” and that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. The operation was declared a response to the “barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack.”
ALSO READ:Â India Deploys SCALP Missiles, Hammer Bombs in Precision Strikes
The international community has voiced its concern over the escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, urging restraint and dialogue to prevent further deterioration of the situation. Residents in the border areas remain on high alert, hoping for a swift return to peace and stability
