Responding to Indian attacks, Pakistani forces have continued shelling areas along the border, resulting in the death of an Indian soldier, according to the Indian Army as reported by Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera.
The Indian Army officially announced the soldier's death around 11:00 PM on Wednesday (May 7th). The deceased soldier was identified as Dinesh Kumar. This incident brings the total number of Indian citizens killed in border clashes to 13, with 12 of them being civilians.
The Indian Army's 16 Corps, also known as White Knight Corps, stated in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter): "GOC and all ranks of White Knight Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, 5 Field Regiment, who laid down his life on 7th May in the line of duty during heavy exchange of fire in response to unprovoked firing by Pakistan on innocent civilians in Poonch Sector. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family."
An Al Jazeera report detailed that Pakistani forces shelled border areas throughout Wednesday, with particularly heavy shelling reported in the Poonch area of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Approximately 40 people were reported injured in these incidents.
Indian Army officials have stated that they are giving a befitting response to the shelling. Pakistan initiated heavy shelling along the border following Indian attacks in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The most intense shelling has occurred in the Krishna Ghati, Shahpur, and Mankote areas of Poonch district, as well as the Lam, Manjakote, and Gambhir Brahmana areas of Rajouri. Several villages in the Uri sector of Baramulla and the Tangdhar sector of Kupwara in northern Kashmir have also been damaged by heavy Pakistani shelling.
Indian authorities reported that shells fired by the Pakistani army reached as far as Gingal village, about 30 kilometers inside Baramulla city, injuring at least 11 people, most of whom were residents of the Salamabad area.
A resident of Uri stated that the shelling began around 11:00 PM on Tuesday night. "We went into bunkers. After some time, the intensity of the shelling increased. This is the worst situation since the ceasefire renewal in 2021," the resident said.
Government sources indicate that many more people in remote border areas have been affected. Pakistani shells hit Kamal Kot, Salamabad, Dachna, and Gingal villages, damaging at least 15 houses.
Earlier, on Tuesday night, the Indian Army carried out attacks in various areas of Pakistan. The Pakistani army reported that these attacks resulted in the deaths of 31 people and injuries to 57 others.
The recent escalation follows heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after a gun attack on tourists in Pehelgam, India-administered Kashmir, on April 22nd, which resulted in 26 fatalities. This tension has now escalated into retaliatory attacks.
