- विज्ञापन -
On May 6, 2025, a shocking and reprehensible act unfolded in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, when the Pakistani Army reportedly targeted the Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in a deliberate attack. This assault, which claimed the lives of three innocent Sikhs, including Bhai Amrik Singh Ji, a revered raagi Singh, Bhai Amarjeet Singh, and Bhai Ranjit Singh, has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The attack is seen as a retaliatory move following India’s ‘Operation Sindoor,’ a precision strike on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) on May 7, 2025. This incident not only escalates the already volatile India-Pakistan tensions but also underscores the Pakistani military’s disregard for sacred spaces and civilian lives
The Attack: A Violation of Sanctity
According to multiple reports circulating on social media platforms, the Pakistani Army resorted to heavy shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector, with the Gurudwara becoming a direct target. The attack resulted in significant casualties, with at least three Sikh devotees killed and several others injured. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and jathedar Akal Takht Sahib strongly condemned the “inhuman attack,” highlighting the loss of innocent lives and the desecration of a sacred Sikh site. The Gurudwara, a place of worship and community gathering, was sheltering devotees at the time, making the attack a blatant violation of international norms and humanitarian principles. Posts on X described the incident as a “cowardly” act, with users reporting that Pakistan’s shelling extended to civilian areas, causing further casualties and injuries. Estimates suggest that the broader shelling in Poonch led to the deaths of at least 10 locals and injured over 30 others. These figures, while unverified, reflect the intensity of the Pakistani offensive and its devastating impact on border communities.
Context: A Retaliation to Operation Sindoor
The attack on the Gurudwara comes in the wake of India’s ‘Operation Sindoor,’ launched on May 7, 2025, to neutralise terrorist infrastructure across nine locations in Pakistan and PoJK. The operation was a direct response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists, in a brutal assault orchestrated by Pakistan-based militant groups. India’s Ministry of Defence emphasised that the strikes were carefully calibrated to avoid Pakistani military facilities, targeting only terror camps linked to groups like Lashkar-eTaiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Pakistan however, retaliated with heavy mortar shelling and small arms fire along the LoC, targeting civilian areas in Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara, and Baramulla. The attack on the Gurudwara appears to be part of this broader escalation, with Pakistani forces deliberately striking a religious site to provoke outrage and inflame communal tensions. Such tactics are not new; Pakistan’s military has a history of targeting civilian infrastructure during periods of heightened conflict, but attacking a Gurudwara—a symbol of peace and inclusivity— marks a new low.
Community Response and Sikh Sentiments
The Sikh community, both in Jammu and Kashmir and across India, has expressed profound grief and anger over the attack. Social media posts urged the Sikh Sangat to stay safe amid the escalating violence, with many calling for unity and resilience in the face of such provocations. Voices on X, including prominent Sikh activists, condemned Pakistan’s actions, with one user noting, “Attacks on Sikh Gurudwaras from the Pakistan army is a sign of cowardice.” Others drew parallels between India and Pakistan, criticising both nations for their handling of minority communities but emphasizing Pakistan’s blatant aggression in this instance. The SGPC’s statement resonated deeply, calling for justice and international condemnation of Pakistan’s actions. The attack has also reignited discussions about the safety of religious minorities in conflict zones, with Sikh leaders demanding stronger security measures for Gurudwaras and other sacred sites along the LoC.
India-Pakistan Tensions: A Dangerous Spiral
The Gurudwara attack is the latest chapter in a rapidly deteriorating India-Pakistan relationship, which has been on edge since the Pahalgam terror attack. The April 22 massacre, attributed to the Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, prompted India to take unprecedented diplomatic and military measures. These included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, ex p e l l i n g Pa k i s t a n i diplomats, and closing key border crossings. Pakistan responded by suspending the Shimla Agreement, restricting trade, and closing its airspace, further isolating the two nations. The LoC has witnessed near-daily skirmishes since April 24, with Pakistan’s unprovoked firing met by proportionate Indian responses. The Gurudwara attack, however, crosses a red line, targeting a civilian and religious site in a manner that could galvanize public opinion in India for a stronger retaliatory response. Indian officials, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, have vowed to hold perpetrators accountable, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to “identify, track, and punish” those behind such acts.
International Reactions and the Path Forward
The international community has called for restraint, with the United Nations, United States, and European Union urging both nations to de-escalate. The U.S. has expressed solidarity with India’s right to defend itself, while China, Pakistan’s close ally, has backed Islamabad’s narrative, calling for a “swift and fair investigation” into the Pahalgam attack. However, the targeting of a Gurudwara is likely to draw sharper global scrutiny, as attacks on religious sites are universally condemned. For India, the attack poses a strategic dilemma. A military response risks further escalation between t w o n u c l e a r- a r m e d neighbours, yet public and political pressure for action is mounting. Analysts suggest that India may opt for targeted strikes on additional terror camps or covert operations to neutralize threats without crossing the LoC. Diplomatically, India is building a case against Pakistan’s complicity in terrorism, seeking to isolate Islamabad on the global stage.
Conclusion: A Call for Justice and Peace
The attack on the Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Poonch is a stark reminder of the human cost of the India-Pakistan conflict. By targeting a sacred site, the Pakistani Army has not only violated the sanctity of a place of worship but also deepened the wounds of a region already scarred by decades of violence. The Sikh community’s loss is a tragedy for all of India, and the nation stands united in demanding justice for the victims. As tensions continue to simmer, the path to peace lies in international pressure on Pakistan to dismantle its terror networks and cease attacks on civilian and religious targets. For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, caught in the crossfire of this geopolitical standoff, the hope is for a future where sacred spaces like Gurudwaras remain sanctuaries of solace, not targets of war.
