An Indian Army soldier, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of the 5th Field Regiment, was killed on Wednesday during heavy shelling by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The White Knight Corps, which oversees operations along this sensitive frontier, confirmed the soldier’s death and saluted his “supreme sacrifice” in defense of the nation.
The death toll rises to 31 while 46 are injured.
The deadly shelling comes just a day after India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of precision missile strikes targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), including the notorious Gulpur and Kotli camps. These camps are believed to be operated by terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, which have been implicated in cross-border attacks, including the recent Pahalgam massacre that claimed 26 civilian lives.
In retaliation, the Pakistan Army initiated widespread shelling across several sectors of the LoC, with Poonch and Rajouri districts experiencing the heaviest bombardments. Many homes and civilian structures have sustained damage. The Indian Army has responded with retaliatory fire, reportedly inflicting heavy damage on multiple Pakistani military posts.
Amid growing concerns for civilian safety, the Indian government has begun the evacuation of residents from high-risk border areas. Security agencies are on high alert, and additional forces have been deployed to manage the escalating situation.
The White Knight Corps expressed solidarity with both the fallen soldier and the affected civilians, condemning the deliberate targeting of non-combatants. The Indian government and military leadership have reiterated their commitment to defending national security while safeguarding civilian lives.
As tensions continue to rise, calls for sustained strategic and diplomatic measures have intensified across political and defense circles to address the persistent threat from across the border.
