NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday visited civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district that were hit by crossborder shelling from Pakistan.
During his visit, Congress MP met with residents and families who lost loved ones in the shelling. He assured them that he would raise their concerns at the national level.
"It was a big tragedy, and many people have lost their lives. There has been huge damage. I spoke with the people and tried to understand their problems. They have requested me to raise this issue on the national level, and I will do that," Rae Bareli MP said.
He also said that people in Poonch show great strength and dignity amid recurring conflict.
"Today, I met the families of those who lost their lives in Pakistan's shelling in Poonch. Broken houses, scattered belongings, moist eyes and painful stories of losing loved ones in every corner – these patriotic families bear the biggest burden of war with courage and dignity every time. Salute to their courage. I stand strongly with the victim families – I will definitely raise their demands and issues at the national level," he said in a post on X.
Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha LoP also visited a school in Poonch and interacted with students affected by the shelling. Encouraging them, Gandhi said, "Now, you have seen danger and a little bit of a frightening situation, but don't worry, everything will come back to normal. Your way of responding to this problem should be to study and play really hard and make a lot of friends in school."
Following his meetings with affected families, Gandhi also visited Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha in Poonch, which was damaged in the Pakistani shelling.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hamid Karra said Poonch was among the worst-affected areas in the recent round of cross-border firing.
Earlier this week, a five-member delegation from the Trinamool Congress also met affected families in Poonch, expressing solidarity and calling for peace.
Poonch and Rajouri districts have seen repeated shelling from the Pakistani side, which has caused widespread damage to homes and livelihoods.
The Jammu and Kashmir government, led by chief minister Omar Abdullah in alliance with the Congress, has announced Rs 10 lakh ex gratia compensation for the families of those killed in the shelling.
During his visit, Congress MP met with residents and families who lost loved ones in the shelling. He assured them that he would raise their concerns at the national level.
"It was a big tragedy, and many people have lost their lives. There has been huge damage. I spoke with the people and tried to understand their problems. They have requested me to raise this issue on the national level, and I will do that," Rae Bareli MP said.
He also said that people in Poonch show great strength and dignity amid recurring conflict.
"Today, I met the families of those who lost their lives in Pakistan's shelling in Poonch. Broken houses, scattered belongings, moist eyes and painful stories of losing loved ones in every corner – these patriotic families bear the biggest burden of war with courage and dignity every time. Salute to their courage. I stand strongly with the victim families – I will definitely raise their demands and issues at the national level," he said in a post on X.
आज पुंछ में पाकिस्तान की गोलाबारी में जान गंवाने वाले लोगों के परिवारों से मिला।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 24, 2025
टूटे मकान, बिखरा सामान, नम आंखें और हर कोने में अपनों को खोने की दर्द भरी दास्तान - ये देशभक्त परिवार हर बार जंग का सबसे बड़ा बोझ साहस और गरिमा के साथ उठाते हैं। उनके हौसले को सलाम है।
पीड़ित… pic.twitter.com/CIDEXmqXxG
Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha LoP also visited a school in Poonch and interacted with students affected by the shelling. Encouraging them, Gandhi said, "Now, you have seen danger and a little bit of a frightening situation, but don't worry, everything will come back to normal. Your way of responding to this problem should be to study and play really hard and make a lot of friends in school."
Following his meetings with affected families, Gandhi also visited Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha in Poonch, which was damaged in the Pakistani shelling.
VIDEO | Jammu and Kashmir: Congress MP and LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) offered prayers at a temple in Poonch, earlier today.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 24, 2025
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/IUCVNBZprU
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hamid Karra said Poonch was among the worst-affected areas in the recent round of cross-border firing.
Earlier this week, a five-member delegation from the Trinamool Congress also met affected families in Poonch, expressing solidarity and calling for peace.
Poonch and Rajouri districts have seen repeated shelling from the Pakistani side, which has caused widespread damage to homes and livelihoods.
The Jammu and Kashmir government, led by chief minister Omar Abdullah in alliance with the Congress, has announced Rs 10 lakh ex gratia compensation for the families of those killed in the shelling.
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