Rahul writes to PM, seeks relief for shelling-hit

Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s first visit to the border areas of J&K, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to announce a relief package for residents of Poonch and other regions impacted by Pakistani shelling.

In his letter, Gandhi highlighted the destruction caused by the recent shelling and referred to his own visit to Poonch, where 14 people—including four children—lost their lives and dozens were injured. “This sudden attack has caused massive destruction in our areas. Hundreds of houses, shops, schools and religious places have been badly damaged,” he wrote.

He added that many victims told him that “years of hard work were destroyed in an instant. The people of Poonch and other border areas have lived peacefully for decades. At a time when they are facing such a deep crisis, it is our collective duty to understand their pain.”