Omar announces Rs 10L for Poonch victims’ kin; vows to upgrade infra
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday undertook an extensive tour of Poonch district to assess the ground situation following the recent cross-border shelling. Poonch was among the worst-affected areas, witnessing the deaths of 13 people and injuries to several others.
Outlining future preparedness, the Chief Minister stated, “May we never face such a situation again, but if we do, we must be better prepared. We plan to establish critical infrastructure including fixed and mobile bunkers, reinforce ambulance services, and improve evacuation mechanisms in border areas through mock drills and practical assessments.”
The CM visited the district hospital, where he enquired about the condition of the injured. He expressed admiration for their courage and resilience, assuring them of the best possible medical care and full support from the government.
Later, he met with the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the shelling. “Words fall short in the face of such grief. I offered my heartfelt condolences and assured them that they are not alone—the entire administration and I stand with them,” he said.
The Chief Minister also visited the Zia-ul-Uloom and Anwar-ul-Uloom religious institutions, where a religious teacher was killed and several students were injured in the shelling.
Following his visits, the Chief Minister convened a meeting with public representatives, including MLAs Ajaz Ahmad Jan (Poonch-Haveli), Choudhary Mohammad Akram (Surankote), and Minister Javed Ahmad Rana (Mendhar). The meeting was also attended by prominent citizens, former legislators, and community leaders from various communities.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, the Chairperson of the District Development Council, Deputy Commissioner, SSP, and other senior officials were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Omar lauded the efforts of the civil administration for their unwavering service. “They stood their ground and worked tirelessly to support the people and minimise the suffering caused by this tragic situation,” he said.
Speaking on the conflict, the Chief Minister remarked, “This situation was not of our making. Our neighbouring country chose to target innocent civilians on our side of the border. This is both deeply saddening and unacceptable.”
Expressing sorrow over the loss of 13 innocent lives, he added, “While no compensation can replace a lost life, it is our responsibility to provide immediate support. I have announced a relief of Rs 10 lakh to each family of the deceased. It is not a measure of the value of life, but a step to help them cope during this difficult time.”
Commenting on the growing threat of cross-border shelling from Pakistan, the CM noted, “For the first time, even the old quarters of Jammu have been affected. We are now forced to contemplate building bunkers in the city—something previously unimaginable.”
He emphasised the need for urgent reforms in preparedness. “We must learn from this experience and address our shortcomings. Strengthening hospital infrastructure is essential. Citizens have suggested engaging retired doctors during emergencies. I will raise this with the Health Minister and explore a re-employment or stipend-based scheme for retired medical professionals,” he said.
