Srinagar: The All-Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) has expressed serious concern over the rising civilian casualties amid the ongoing cross-border shelling in Jammu and Kashmir, urging both India and Pakistan to immediately de-escalate tensions to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, APSCC Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said that the brunt of the violence is being borne by minorities living in the border areas, particularly in the Poonch district. He confirmed that four civilians — Amrik Singh, Ranjit Singh, Amarjeet Singh, and Balwinder Kour — have lost their lives in the shelling, while several others, including children, have sustained injuries.
“A Gurdwara in Poonch has suffered extensive damage after being hit by a mortar shell,” Raina added, highlighting the growing threat to places of worship and civilian infrastructure. He also pointed out that another village, Triboni in Kupwara district, has been impacted by the hostilities.
The Committee has released a list of 70 individuals who have been affected by the ongoing conflict in the Poonch region. Raina called for restraint and appealed for peace, urging the leadership of both nations to “show magnanimity in times of distress.”
“The lives of civilians should not be reduced to collateral damage. It is high time that both countries engage in meaningful dialogue and take immediate steps to restore calm in the region,” Raina said.
The APSCC has reiterated its commitment to the safety and well-being of all communities and emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian considerations to take precedence in conflict situations.
