Bishop of Jammu Reports Casualties and Damage to Convent in Poonch Amid Operation Sindoora

Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, May 7, 2025: Heavy shelling rocked areas along the Line of Control (LoC) early Wednesday morning, coinciding with the launch of Operation Sindoora, a coordinated offensive by the Indian Armed Forces targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In retaliation, the Pakistan Army unleashed intense mortar and artillery fire across the LoC — the 13th consecutive day of cross-border hostilities.

The latest round of shelling has claimed the lives of at least 10 civilians and left 33 injured in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district. The injured have been transported to nearby hospitals.

Speaking to Catholic Connect News, Bishop Ivan Pereira of Jammu expressed deep concern over the situation.

“Between 6 and 7 a.m. today, a shell fired from Pakistan landed just behind Christ School in Poonch, hitting the home of two students of the school. Tragically, both students lost their lives, and their parents were severely injured,” he said. “Fortunately, the school, which is run by the CMI congregation, was closed for holidays, which prevented casualties among students and staff.”

Bishop Pereira added that another shell struck a convent of nuns belonging to the CMC congregation, damaging water tanks and destroying solar panel infrastructure. “Our priests and sisters, along with local residents, have taken shelter in the underground hall of the premises. Shelling is ongoing,” he reported.

A mobile network blackout and regional power outage, which began around 2:30 a.m., have further compounded the crisis, disrupting communication in the affected areas.

Bishop Pereira noted that the Jammu area, located about 25 kilometres from the India–Pakistan border, remains calm, with normal movement of people and vehicles.

“While both Jammu and Srinagar remain largely calm for now, authorities have implemented precautionary measures, including evacuations in vulnerable areas and the closure of educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He concluded with a hopeful note: “We hope and pray that the situation stabilizes soon and that peace is restored.”

By Catholic Connect Reporter

Image Credit: PTI