India-Pak Tensions Surge: Pakistan’s Heavy Firing in Poonch, Kupwara Unabated

India-Pak Tensions Surge: Pakistan’s Heavy Firing in Poonch, Kupwara Unabated
The India-Pakistan conflict has reached a critical juncture as Pakistan intensifies heavy artillery and mortar shelling in Poonch and Kupwara along the Line of Control (LoC) on May 9, 2025, following India’s Operation Sindoor. Despite India’s robust countermeasures, Pakistan’s unprovoked attacks continue, causing civilian losses and escalating regional tensions.

Persistent Pakistani Aggression
Pakistan’s military has unleashed relentless shelling across multiple LoC sectors, including Poonch, Kupwara, Rajouri, Uri, and Baramulla, since India’s missile strikes on terror camps on May 7. The barrage, involving mortars and heavy-caliber artillery, has targeted civilian areas and military posts, resulting in 16 deaths, including three women and five children. In Poonch, a Gurudwara, temple, and mosque sustained damage, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attacks. The Indian Army has responded with proportionate force, destroying several Pakistani posts while thwarting infiltration bids, such as one in Samba on May 8.

Civilian Toll and Evacuations
The heavy firing has devastated border communities. In Poonch, homes and shops have been reduced to rubble, with residents like Safeer Abdullah reporting injuries to family members. Kupwara’s villages face similar destruction, prompting mass evacuations to safer zones. Local police and administration are relocating civilians, with schools and institutions closed across Jammu, Samba, and Rajouri. The human cost, including 12 civilian deaths in a single day, has fueled outrage, with locals like Mohammad Mashooq pleading for an end to the “madness.”

India’s Resolute Defense
India’s armed forces, equipped with advanced systems like the S-400, have neutralized over 50 Pakistani drones, ensuring no breaches in military stations. The Border Security Force (BSF) and Army maintain heightened vigilance, with air raid sirens echoing in Baramulla. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s ongoing consultations with military chiefs reflect India’s preparedness to counter further provocations while avoiding broader escalation.

Global Calls for Restraint
International actors, including the EU and UAE, urge de-escalation, but Pakistan’s refusal to halt firing complicates diplomacy. With Saudi Arabia mediating, India remains focused on defending its sovereignty. As tensions persist, the LoC remains a volatile flashpoint, testing India’s resolve and diplomatic finesse.