Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 11 (HBTV): Bhai Surender Singh, Head Granthi of Sahab Mahant Saab Ji Gurudwara in Poonch, has alleged that gurdwaras, mosques, and temples were damaged due to firing from across the border by Pakistan. He also claimed that the firing led to civilian casualties, including the death of a teacher.
Speaking to ANI, Bhai Surender Singh said: ‘It wasn't done by the Indian Army; it was actually firing from Pakistan. There was damage to gurdwaras, mosques, and temples, and we also had casualties. A teacher who was teaching children was killed. Pakistan fired on our city, on people's homes, and even our gurdwaras were hit.’
He further added: ‘The truth always wins, and we must speak it. Despite all the damage and attacks on gurdwaras and temples, Pakistan is shamelessly blaming the Indian Army. But the truth is that Pakistan is behind this.’
Balbir Singh, General Secretary of the Gurdwara Committee near the District Hospital in Poonch, called the incident ‘very unfortunate’ and confirmed that he was present at the gurdwara when its cashier was killed in the firing.
‘It is very unfortunate. The army of Pakistan could not stoop any lower. I was present in the gurdwara myself when the cashier of the gurdwara was martyred. He was reciting from the holy scriptures during the Sehaj Path, and just 2–5 minutes after talking to me, a bomb from Pakistan landed on the gurdwara boundary wall, and he was martyred near his house. I want to say this with deep sadness that they are projecting this to the whole world through false propaganda,’ he said.
He added that not just one, but three gurdwaras were hit, including Gurdwara Guru Singh Sabha Poonch, Gurdwara Krishna Ghati, and the revered Dera Nangali Sahib, a sacred site associated with Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj that is visited by devotees from across the world.
‘It is shameful that the Pakistani Army, already infamous worldwide, is now lying to blame the Indian Army. The whole world has seen the truth—that the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy have given a fitting reply to Pakistan,’ he further stated.
On Saturday, India said that Pakistan had violated the understanding reached earlier in the day between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries on the cessation of firing and military operations. The Indian Army is currently retaliating and responding to the border intrusions.
At a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said: ‘This is a breach of the understanding arrived at earlier today and India takes very serious note of these violations.’
He added that India had called on Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address the violations and approach the situation with seriousness and responsibility.
‘The armed forces are maintaining a strong vigil on the situation. They have been given instructions to deal strongly with any instances of repetition of the violations of the border along the International Border as well as the Line of Control,’ Misri said.
He also noted that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations had called his Indian counterpart at 15:35 hours on Saturday, and it had been agreed that both sides would cease all firing and military actions across land, air, and sea from 17:00 hours IST.
‘Today, instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding. The Directors General of Military Operations will talk again on May 12 at 1200 hours,’ Misri added.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a post on X, reaffirmed that India will continue to maintain a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism.
(ANI)