Poonch Gurudwara Attack: Civilian Casualties and India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate

On May 7, 2025, Pakistan forces allegedly attacked the Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, during heavy cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC).

This assault, reported as a retaliatory action following India’s Operation Sindoor, has heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The attack on the gurdwara, a sacred Sikh place of worship, has drawn widespread condemnation and added a new dimension to the escalating conflict.

Civilian Deaths and Injuries in the Poonch Gurudwara Shelling

The attack on the Gurdwara Sahib in Poonch resulted in the tragic deaths of at least three Sikh civilians, identified as Bhai Amrik Singh (a raagi Singh), Bhai Amarjeet Singh, and Bhai Ranjit Singh, with some reports also mentioning a fourth victim, Ruby Kaur.

These individuals were killed during the shelling, which targeted civilian areas, including the gurdwara. Additionally, broader Pakistani shelling in the Poonch-Rajouri area claimed at least 10 civilian lives, including four children, and injured over 30 others, with 57 reported injuries in Poonch alone. The shelling also affected other civilian infrastructure, such as a school, exacerbating the human toll.

The attack on a place of worship ( Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib )

The Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib, a revered site for the Sikh community, sustained damage due to the shelling, though specific details on the extent of structural harm remain limited.

The attack on a place of worship, where prayers for universal well-being are offered, has been described as “heinous” and “inhuman” by community leaders, including Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Beyond the gurdwara, the heavy artillery fire damaged civilian homes, schools, and other infrastructure in the Poonch border area, disrupting daily life and forcing residents to seek safety.

The closure of commercial flights in northern India, including Gwalior’s Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia airport, until May 9, reflects the broader regional impact.

Rising India-Pakistan Tensions After Poonch and Pahalgam Attacks

The Poonch attack followed India’s Operation Sindoor, launched earlier on May 7, 2025, which targeted nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

Pakistan’s retaliation, including the shelling of Poonch, has been condemned as targeting civilian and religious sites, with the gurdwara attack drawing particular outrage. The Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir has been urged to remain vigilant, with social media posts reflecting grief and calls for safety.

The incident has further strained India-Pakistan relations, with India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, sealing the Attari-Wagah border, and canceling visas for Pakistanis. Pakistan’s claims of civilian casualties, including 26 deaths from India’s strikes, and its disinformation campaign on social media have added to the volatility.

As both nations exchange fire and rhetoric, the attack on the Poonch gurdwara underscores the devastating human and cultural cost of the ongoing conflict, leaving communities in mourning and the region on edge.