Is Rahul Gandhi Visiting Families Affected by Pak Shelling in Poonch Tomorrow?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rahul Gandhi is visiting families affected by Pakistani shelling.
- Significant civilian casualties have occurred in Jammu and Kashmir.
- India has responded with targeted operations against terrorism.
- Many displaced residents still await safe return to their homes.
- The ceasefire between India and Pakistan remains fragile.
Jammu, May 23 (NationPress) Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to meet the families impacted by the recent shelling from Pakistan in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
According to Congress leader and MP Jairam Ramesh on X, “The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shri @RahulGandhi, will be visiting Poonch tomorrow, May 24th, to interact with families who have suffered losses during the recent Pakistani shelling. Previously, on April 25, he visited Srinagar to meet with those injured and other stakeholders affected by the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He also conferred with the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister.”
The districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, and Kupwara experienced significant damage to civilian lives and property as a result of intensive mortar shelling from Pakistan, which was a response to India’s operations against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Following the tragic events of April 22, when Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists targeted tourists based on their religion, resulting in the deaths of 26 civilians—25 of whom were tourists—India escalated operations against terrorism. This incident has left the nation in outrage.
In retaliation, India launched precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure located in Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad in PoK. The Pakistani military responded with heavy mortar shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in J&K, targeting civilian areas.
Approximately 200 structures, including homes and shops, were decimated due to the shelling, leading to numerous border residents fleeing their villages in search of safety.
Currently, many displaced residents have yet to return home as security forces are still engaged in defusing unexploded shells in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, and Kupwara.
Despite an understanding reached between India and Pakistan regarding a ceasefire, as confirmed by communications from the DGMOs of both nations on June 12, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized that this agreement will be upheld only if Pakistan refrains from allowing terrorist activities aimed at India.