Amit Shah soothes Poonch, promises aid to families

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Friday visited the frontier district of Poonch, still reeling from the devastation of May 7-10, to share the pain of the bereaved and pledge the nation’s unwavering support. Shah’s maiden visit to Poonch after Operation Sindoor was more than a political gesture-it was a balm for a wounded town, battered by the worst shelling since Independence.

After meeting members of the affected families, Amit Shah, in his brief address at the Dak Bungalow, said that a package would soon be announced by the Centre for damaged homes, businesses, and religious sites.  14 civilians, including five children, lost their lives in the heavy shelling by Pakistan on May 7 in Poonch. Flanked by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, cabinet minister Javed Rana and Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Shah also handed over government job letters to the next of kin of those killed, a gesture he acknowledged could never fill the void of their loss but stood as a testament to the nation’s resolve to stand by them.

Addressing a gathering, he condemned Pakistan’s “cowardly” attack on civilians, declaring, “We targeted only terror camps, not a single Pakistani civilian or soldier was harmed. Yet Pakistan chose to shell our homes and holy places, proving to the world they harbor terrorists.” He lauded the Indian Armed Forces’ response, which destroyed nine Pakistani airbases and 118 posts, forcing a ceasefire. “Any attack on our civilians, our borders, or our army will be met with a stronger reply,” he vowed, igniting a spark of pride in the crowd.

As Shah stepped onto Poonch’s soil, he was greeted by chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai. His visit to the ravaged Dungas area, where homes and livelihoods lay in ruins, brought tears to many as he walked among the affected, listening to their stories of loss and survival. During his visit, the Home Minister met with families who lost loved ones and those whose properties were severely damaged, offering condolences and assuring them of swift government action.

“The Centre is committed to standing by the people of Poonch. We will ensure that those affected by the shelling receive the necessary support to rebuild their lives,” Shah said while interacting with residents. “We told him our pain,” said Jaskiran Kaur, a resident of Poonch. “Pakistan’s cowardly act has terrified us, but his presence here gives us hope that we will be helped.””We told him who suffered what damage due to shelling,” she said, her eyes reflecting the trauma of nights spent in fear. We hope that Amit Shah will help us get compensation for our loss,” Jaskiran said, her voice steadying with resolve. “We are with him and hope he will be with us too.”

At the Gurdwara Singh Sabha, scarred by artillery shells, he paid obeisance and pledged unwavering support to the Sikh community. “Our Home Minister shared our pain and sorrow,” a devotee present at the Gurudwara said. Shah also visited Geeta Bhawan and offered prayers.

The Home Minister’s itinerary also included a visit to the Border Security Force (BSF) Unit Headquarters at Khanetar, where he addressed jawans who have stood as the first line of defense against Pakistan’s aggression.

“You have sent a message on behalf of crores of Indians,” Shah told them, saluting their role in Operation Sindoor and their vigilance in thwarting infiltration attempts, like the one foiled in Samba on May 8. Shah commended the BSF’s precision and bravery. “When Pakistan attacked our borders and civilian areas in response to our anti-terror operations, BSF jawans of the Jammu Frontier retaliated by destroying and damaging over 118 posts in just three days,” he said. “This is a significant achievement.”

Shah highlighted the scale of the blow dealt to Pakistan, stating that the BSF dismantled the enemy’s entire surveillance network, a system that will take “four to five years to rebuild.”

According to the BSF Director General, Pakistan’s communication systems and surveillance equipment suffered a severe setback, rendering them “incapable of waging a full-fledged information-based war for quite some time.”

The Home Minister praised the BSF’s vigilance and intelligence-driven approach, noting that their precise pre-emptive strategy was prepared well in advance. “Even during peacetime, you kept a vigilant eye. Based on your accurate intelligence, a counter-strategy was executed with success,” Shah said, calling the operation a testament to the force’s patriotism and readiness to make supreme sacrifices.

Shah said the Government of India, in coordination with the UT administration, will build more bunkers in the coming days to further enhance civilian protection in border areas. The UnionHome Minister said immediately after Prime Minister Modi assumed office in 2014, a decision was taken to construct bunkers along the border to protect civilians. “More than 9,500 bunkers have been built so far, which played a crucial role in saving lives in the last three days,” he said.

Reiterating Prime Minister Modi’s firm stance on terrorism, Shah asserted, “Terror and talks cannot go together. Terror and trade cannot go together. Blood and water cannot flow together.” Amit Shah also asserted that the development of Jammu and Kashmir, which he said began in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will not stop or slow down despite recent provocations, and warned that those attempting to harm India will face a “strong and decisive” response.