Amid escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan, intense cross-border shelling by Pakistani forces has caused widespread damage to civilian homes and religious sites in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara, Uri, and Poonch districts. Despite the destruction, local residents have expressed unwavering support for the Indian Army.
In Uri and Poonch, several houses and public utilities, including water tanks, were hit during the shelling. Religious structures—gurdwaras, temples, and mosques—were not spared, raising concerns over deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure.
“The entire house is damaged. They are targeting civilians on purpose. Even religious places haven’t been spared,” said Balbir Singh, a resident of Poonch. “Despite the fear, we will not leave. We’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with the Army.”
In Jammu, a strike near the Aap Shambhu Temple prompted quick action from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and civil authorities, who cordoned off the area. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Residents credited early warning sirens for preventing a major tragedy.
Fragments of projectiles were also recovered in the Bishnah and Lasjan areas of Jammu, as well as Akhnoor, where splinters caused minor damage.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed that Indian forces retaliated strongly by targeting four airbases inside Pakistan early Saturday morning. This followed Pakistan’s strikes on 26 locations across India. Intermittent firing continues along multiple sections of the Line of Control (LoC), as both nations remain on high alert.