Pakistan Intensifies Shelling in Rajouri and Poonch: 15 Civilians Killed including ADDC Rajouri, 43 Injured
Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, May 10, 2025: Pakistan escalated hostilities along the Line of Control (LoC) with heavy artillery shelling and drone attacks targeting border areas in Jammu and Kashmir, including Rajouri and Poonch districts, on Thursday night, May 8, 2025. The intense cross-border firing, described as one of the deadliest ceasefire violations in recent years, has claimed at least 15 civilian lives, including children, and injured 43 others, according to Indian officials.The shelling, which began around 8:30 PM, targeted civilian infrastructure and military posts in multiple sectors, including Mankote, Krishna Ghati, Shahpur in Poonch, and Laam and Manjakote in Rajouri. The Indian Armed Forces responded effectively, intercepting drones and missiles with the S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ air defence system, neutralizing threats across Jammu, Samba, and other vulnerable areas. A complete blackout was enforced in Jammu on Friday, May 9, 2025, as sirens echoed across the city, prompting panic among residents.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reported hearing “intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery,” and visited relief camps in Jammu, Rajouri, and Samba to oversee arrangements for displaced families. Thousands of residents have been evacuated from five districts in the Jammu region, with 18 reported deaths and nearly 60 wounded due to the ongoing shelling.
The escalation follows India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, launched in response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Pakistan’s military actions also included failed attempts to strike 15 Indian cities, including Srinagar, Jammu, and Pathankot, using missiles and drones on May 8, 2025. Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar announced the closure of all schools, colleges, and educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch on May 9, 2025, due to the prevailing security situation.
Civilians living along the LoC and International Border have begun preparing community and individual bunkers for potential further escalation.
Reports of possible Missile attack in Rehari colony & near Aap Shambu Mandir are also on Social Media with viral videos but not confirmed yet by the authorities. Samba Town witnessed heavy shelling & drone attacks though all were intercepted by the Air Defence System.
Social media posts on X have reported that Raj Kumar Thapa, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri, was martyred, and two other bodies reached the Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu.
CM Omar Abdullah tweeted on X
The Indian Army paid tribute to Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, killed on May 7, 2025, during ceasefire violations in Poonch, and expressed solidarity with civilians affected by the shelling. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and armed forces chiefs to address the crisis.
