Unicaus NEWS
New Delhi – The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today shared details of a deeply tragic incident resulting from unprovoked shelling by Pakistan, where two schoolchildren lost their lives in the Poonch area of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident highlights the severe impact of cross-border hostilities on civilian lives and infrastructure.
During a briefing, the MEA spokesperson recounted the events of the early morning of May 7th, 2025, when heavy shelling occurred across the Line of Control (LoC). A shell fired from the Pakistani side landed just behind the Christ School, which is run by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate Congregation in Poonch.
The spokesperson confirmed with profound regret that the shell directly hit the home of two students enrolled at the Christ School. Both students, identified as innocent victims of the indiscriminate shelling, unfortunately lost their lives in the attack. Their parents sustained severe injuries in the same incident.
This particular event underscores the dangerous proximity of civilian populations and institutions to the areas affected by Pakistan’s actions along the border. The fact that the shell struck a residential home located behind a school highlights the lack of regard for civilian safety during the shelling.
The MEA spokesperson also mentioned that another Pakistani shell struck a Christian convent belonging to the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel in the vicinity. This shelling caused damage to the convent’s water tanks and destroyed solar panel infrastructure, further illustrating the impact on civilian and religious institutions.
During the intense shelling, priests, nuns, school staff, and local residents in the area sought refuge in an underground hall located beneath the Christ School. This action was necessary to protect themselves from the ongoing bombardment.
Fortunately, the Christ School itself was closed at the time the shelling occurred. The MEA spokesperson noted that had the school been in session, the consequences could have been even more devastating, potentially leading to a much higher number of casualties among students and staff.
The targeting of areas in close proximity to educational and religious institutions, as evidenced by the shelling near Christ School and the convent, indicates a disturbing pattern in Pakistan’s actions. The MEA reiterated its condemnation of such attacks, particularly those impacting civilian areas and places of worship.
The loss of two young lives is a poignant reminder of the human cost of the ongoing tensions and unprovoked aggression along the border. India has consistently raised concerns about Pakistan’s targeting of civilian areas and its impact on the local population in Jammu and Kashmir. The details shared during the briefing, confirmed through official channels, serve to underscore the severity of the situation and the tragic consequences of Pakistan’s actions.
