The native Sikh community suffered a heavy loss as at the very least 4 of its members had been killed and the wall of a gurdwara was broken when Pakistan launched heavy shelling early Wednesday in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Eyewitnesses described the depth of the bombardment as worse than through the 1999 Kargil Warfare.
In accordance with officers, Amreek Singh and Ranjit Singh—native shopkeepers—ex-army official Amarjeet Singh, and homemaker Ruby Kaur had been killed immediately when a shell exploded close to them, sending shockwaves by means of the community.
A close by gurdwara, positioned only a brief stroll from Amreek Singh’s store, was additionally struck through the shelling. Its wall sustained appreciable structural harm.
Ex-army official Amarjeet Singh (50), a religious Granthi who often carried out Paath on the gurdwara, died in the shelling. He’s survived by his spouse, a son in Class 6, and a daughter.
Amarjeet Singh additionally performed the tabla on the gurdwara, whereas one other sufferer, Amreek Singh, was a raagi who sang hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib at one other gurdwara in Poonch. Each had been killed at totally different places.
“It was such a destiny that not solely Amarjeet Singh but additionally Amreek Singh died in the shelling as we speak. They had been small-time preachers for the community,” mentioned Narinder Singh from the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Poonch.
Story continues beneath this advert
A man walks previous a constructing broken by Pakistani artillery shelling in Kashmir’s Rajouri. (Reuters)
Amreek Singh (39) ran a small grocery store beneath his home. He was the only breadwinner of his household and is survived by two daughters and a son. He was with Ranjit Singh at Syndicate Chowk when a shell exploded in entrance of them. Each died on the spot. Amreek Singh had gone to open his store.
Ranjit Singh, additionally a shopkeeper, was single and identified for his quiet, hardworking nature.
Ruby Kaur (32), a homemaker, was killed in Mankote. She had three kids, the youngest only a 12 months and a half previous.
Ranjit Singh, Amreek Singh, and Ruby Kaur had been cremated on Wednesday. Amarjeet Singh might be cremated on Thursday.
Story continues beneath this advert
The native Sikh inhabitants in Poonch, estimated between 25,000 and 30,000, has been left shaken. “Now we have by no means witnessed such heavy shelling in Poonch earlier than. We noticed the Kargil warfare, however civilian institutions largely remained untouched. We thought we had realized to reside underneath shelling. At the moment, that phantasm was damaged,” mentioned Narinder Singh.
The community is in mourning, calling for justice and an finish to violence focusing on civilians. The wall of Gurudwara Singh Sabha Poonch was broken in the assault.
“The harm to the gurdwara is minor, however the shock is very large. Those that have residences in Jammu have already left. We noticed heavy deployment of the military transferring towards the border. It has created uncertainty in our minds. We don’t know when we will return,” mentioned the gurdwara president.
Following the incident, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Performing Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, condemned the shelling. “The assault on Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha and the lack of Sikh lives isn’t just an occasion—it’s a blow to humanity,” he mentioned.
Story continues beneath this advert
Calling for diplomacy, Jathedar Gargaj urged each India and Pakistan to cut back tensions. “Each governments should act with knowledge, not weapons,” he mentioned.
“Since 1947, this battle has triggered struggling, together with to Hindus and Sikhs close to the border. What number of extra should pay for a battle they didn’t create?” requested Gargaj. “Warfare all the time devours the harmless. Peace will not be weak spot—it’s the energy we should summon.”
“This violence has taken lives from our community,” he added. “Amreek Singh served by means of kirtan, Amarjeet Singh defended the borders, and Ranjit Singh was a tradesman. Their lives shouldn’t have ended like this.”
He referred to as for prayers (ardas) for the departed souls and energy for his or her households. Addressing these in the border areas, Jathedar Gargaj urged, “Help each other. Take shelter in Gurbani. Keep agency. Pray for peace.”
Story continues beneath this advert
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann mentioned, “There was information of a bomb assault by Pakistan on a gurdwara sahib positioned close to the Line of Management (LoC) in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. On this assault, Raagi Singh Bhai Amreek Singh, Amarjeet Singh, Ranjit Singh, and Ruby Kaur have misplaced their lives. Finishing up such an assault at a spot the place prayers are supplied for the well-being of all is extraordinarily condemnable. Focusing on harmless civilians is totally fallacious. We specific our heartfelt condolences to the households of the deceased. We pray to Guru Sahib to grant a spot at His toes to the departed souls and to present the households the energy to bear this insufferable loss.”
In the meantime, many households in Poonch have begun fleeing towards Jammu, in search of security amid fears of extra violence.
Source link
#Sikh #community #shock #hymn #singer #tabla #participant #shopkeeper #homemaker #killed #shelling
