Cross-border shelling and gunfire from the Pakistani military across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) resulted in the deaths of three civilians, including a woman, in Jammu and Kashmir overnight between May 6 and 7, according to defence sources. This marked the 13th consecutive night of ceasefire violations amid rising military tensions following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam last month.
The Indian Army has confirmed that it responded “in equal measure” to the unprovoked shelling, maintaining a calibrated retaliation against Pakistani posts. These exchanges occurred shortly after India launched precision missile strikes against nine terror targets located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including a major base of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur, under Operation Sindoor.
Officials confirmed that a woman was killed in the Mankote area of Poonch district when a mortar shell struck her residence. Her 13-year-old daughter sustained injuries and is currently being treated. In total, nine civilians were injured in various sectors of Poonch due to the shelling. All the injured are stated to be in stable condition.
The shelling triggered a rapid response from the Indian side. Civilians residing in vulnerable zones, particularly near the LoC and IB, were forced to take shelter in underground bunkers. Authorities have since closed down all educational institutions across five border districts—Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch— for the day, citing safety concerns.
Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar confirmed the closure, saying the move was necessary due to the “prevailing situation” along the borders.
Simultaneously, heavy cross-border fire was reported in several sectors: Krishna Ghati, Shahpur, Laam, Manjakote, and Gambeer Brahmana in Rajouri district, as well as Karnah and Uri sectors in Kupwara and Baramulla districts in north Kashmir.
Defence spokespersons reported that the shelling from the Pakistani side included artillery fire, not just small arms. The Bhimber Gali area in the Poonch-Rajouri belt saw intensified artillery exchanges. According to the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army, the response from Indian troops has been “appropriate and calibrated.”
This resurgence of violence comes after a relative calm that followed the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement renewal on February 25, 2021. However, that understanding has seen repeated violations since the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists.
In response to the Pahalgam massacre, Indian security forces launched Operation Sindoor. The Army’s missile strikes early Wednesday targeted terror launchpads and training centers in Pakistan and PoK. While Indian officials refrained from divulging specifics of the operation, sources confirmed that locations in Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad were among the targets.
Since April 24, ceasefire breaches have become frequent. They began in Kupwara and Baramulla with small arms fire and gradually escalated to mortar shelling across the LoC in Poonch, eventually extending to the Akhnoor sector in the Jammu region. Pakistani troops have also reportedly fired at Indian posts in Sunderbani and Naushera sectors in Rajouri, and more recently, along the International Border in the Pargwal sector of Jammu district.
The extent of civilian disruption has been significant. Several families near the border have been displaced, with local administration setting up temporary relief centers. Many residents expressed fear of venturing out, and local businesses remained shut in affected sectors.
A defence source speaking on the condition of anonymity said, “While Indian forces are fully prepared to safeguard civilians and maintain the sanctity of our borders, the repeated targeting of non-combatants by Pakistan is unacceptable. Our response has been measured, but firm.”
Adding to the unrest, a loud explosion was reported in Panthiyal sub-division in Ramban district. The cause remains unclear as investigations are underway. This sudden escalation raises concerns over regional stability. International observers have expressed alarm over the flare-up, though no formal statements have yet been issued by the United Nations or foreign governments. Diplomatic channels between India and Pakistan remain largely inactive, and no immediate peace overtures have been made.
Security analysts note that India’s missile operation underlines a shift from a defensive to a more proactive deterrence strategy in dealing with terror threats emanating from across the border. The current situation, they suggest, may signal the beginning of a broader policy recalibration by India to combat trans-border terrorism through direct military means rather than relying solely on diplomatic pressure.
The latest developments have also reignited concerns over the fragility of the LoC ceasefire, which, while formally still in place, appears to be under severe stress. Questions are now being raised about the effectiveness of bilateral ceasefire pacts in the absence of a sustained and verifiable mechanism for accountability, especially when civilian lives are at risk.
As the border situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains volatile, the loss of civilian lives has underscored the persistent threat posed by cross-border hostilities. The Indian Army’s targeted retaliation and continued military readiness demonstrate its commitment to national security, but the rising civilian toll presents a grim reminder of the human cost of unresolved regional tensions. With the ceasefire agreement increasingly under strain, the coming days will test the resilience of both military and civilian frameworks in sustaining stability along one of the world’s most militarized frontiers.
