Pakistan Army’s Brutal Shelling Kills 17 Students in Poonch School Attack

A Gruesome Act of Violence
Pakistan’s military unleashed a devastating artillery attack on Christ School in Salotri village, Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 17 students and injuring over 20. The shelling, a direct response to India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terror bases in Pakistan, struck the school during morning classes, turning a place of learning into a scene of carnage. This deliberate assault on civilians near the Line of Control (LoC) has sparked widespread outrage in India, with accusations that Pakistan’s military leadership sanctioned the strike to escalate tensions.

Carnage at Christ School
The attack occurred at 10:30 AM, when a barrage of artillery shells hit Christ School, collapsing part of the main building. The victims, aged 8 to 16, included 11 girls, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the strike. Local residents and Indian security forces rushed to the site, but ongoing cross-border firing delayed rescue efforts. Over 20 injured students were evacuated to Poonch District Hospital, with seven in critical condition. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with parents frantically searching for their children amidst the rubble, amplifying the tragedy’s emotional toll.

India’s Furious Response
India’s Ministry of External Affairs labeled the attack a “heinous crime” by Pakistan’s military, accusing it of targeting civilians to deflect from its failure to curb terrorism. Protests erupted in Jammu and New Delhi, with citizens demanding justice. Social media platforms like X saw #PoonchMassacre trend, as Indians called for global condemnation. India expelled a Pakistani diplomat and summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires, signaling a sharp diplomatic escalation. The attack has further strained already tense Indo-Pak relations, following recent military clashes.

Global Outcry and Next Steps
The international community has taken note, with human rights organizations urging the United Nations to probe Pakistan’s actions as potential war crimes. India has vowed to present evidence at global forums, accusing Pakistan of violating international humanitarian law. As Poonch mourns its young victims, the incident underscores the urgent need for de-escalation, even as both nations remain locked in a volatile standoff.