Srinagar, May 07 (KNO): Many Sikh organisations and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the killing of innocents on Wednesday after the Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked shelling in several sectors along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, which also targeted Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha.
According to details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the shelling in Poonch resulted in the tragic loss of four lives from the Sikh community and caused significant damage to the Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, along with the destruction of several properties, severely impacting the Sikh community.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, condemned the shelling in Poonch, saying the Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha was hit during Pakistan's retaliatory shelling in Poonch, following India's Operation Sindoor.
Three Sikhs, Bhai Amrik Singh, a raagi; Bhai Amarjeet Singh, a retired army soldier; and Bhai Ranjit Singh, a local shopkeeper, were killed in the attack, he said.
Also, reports have confirmed the death of a Sikh woman, Ruby Kaur, in the Mankote area. Other civilian casualties have also been reported.
The Jathedar expressed condolences and offered prayers for the spiritual peace of the deceased and strength for their families to cope with the loss.
He said both nations must make sincere efforts to restore peace. "War always harms humanity, often resulting in the deaths of many innocent people," he said. "Every possible effort must be made to resolve the situation peacefully."
The Jathedar said both India and Pakistan have endured great losses since 1947, especially the Hindu and Sikh communities in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, due to ongoing hostilities.
He urged residents in border areas to support one another during these challenging times and seek solace in Gurbani. The Jathedar prayed to Akal Purakh (the Timeless One) for peace and strength to overcome the difficult period.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the shelling in Poonch.
In his statement, CM Mann expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life, particularly the deaths of Bhai Amrik Singh, Bhai Amarjeet Singh, Bhai Ranjit Singh, and Ruby Kaur, who were caught in the crossfire of the ongoing hostilities between India and Pakistan.
He called for immediate action to ensure the safety and security of civilians living in conflict zones, especially those along the Line of Control (LoC). He urged both governments to engage in dialogue and take concrete steps toward de-escalating the violence to avoid further loss of innocent lives.
"The people of Punjab and the Sikh community stand in solidarity with those affected by the violence in Jammu and Kashmir," Mann said. "We must all work toward a peaceful resolution to prevent further suffering."
The chief minister expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, offering them support and prayers during their time of grief. He said peace should be prioritised above all else. "It is crucial to protect the lives of innocent civilians from the ravages of war," he said—(KNO)