Top Officials Ensure Essential Supplies, Medical Aid, Damage Assessment, and Evacuations Amidst Deadly Pakistani Retaliation to ‘Operation Sindoor’
District Poonch Administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal, and District Police, under SSP Shafket Hussain, launched a comprehensive, multi-pronged response to mitigate the devastating impact of Pakistani shelling following “Operation Sindoor.”
DC Kundal personally visited affected areas in Mandi and Haveli Tehsils, District Hospital Poonch, and families of shelling victims, ensuring uninterrupted essential supplies, medical preparedness, and initiating immediate damage assessment for timely relief.
SSP Shafket Hussain, along with senior officers including Addl SP Mohan Sharma and DySP Neeraj Sharma, undertook high-risk visits to forward areas like Khari Karmara and Degwar, supervising evacuations, bolstering public confidence, and reviewing security.
A coordinated effort involving ACR Mohd Sayeed, Tehsildars, and Police Post Incharges is underway to restore normalcy, address grievances, sanitize areas with unexploded shells, and provide all possible support to the shell-shocked population.
HARPREET SINGH
POONCH , May 13, 2025: In the harrowing aftermath of Pakistan’s deadly retaliatory shelling and missile attacks that claimed approximately 12 civilian lives and one soldier in Poonch district following India’s “Operation Sindoor,” the District Administration and Police have mounted an extensive and empathetic response. Spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Poonch, Vikas Kundal, and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Poonch, Shafket Hussain (JKPS), a coordinated effort is underway to provide immediate relief, ensure the continuity of essential services, assess damages, and restore a semblance of normalcy to the shell-shocked border populace.
The unprovoked attacks from across the Line of Control (LoC), which included heavy shelling, missile strikes, and weaponized drone activity targeting civilian areas, necessitated a swift and robust mobilization of administrative and security machinery. DC Vikas Kundal has been at the forefront, personally conducting comprehensive visits to the hardest-hit areas and critical facilities. He visited the District Hospital Poonch to review healthcare arrangements, ensuring the facility is fully equipped to handle the surge in medical needs. Accompanied by SSP Poonch Shafket Hussain, Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Mohd Sayeed, and Additional SP Poonch Mohan Sharma (JKPS), DC Kundal toured the shelling-ravaged areas in Poonch town, as well as in Mandi and Haveli Tehsils, to directly assess the situation on the ground.
During these visits, DC Kundal inspected the status of basic supplies and public services, instructing concerned officials to guarantee the uninterrupted availability of essentials for residents in the affected zones. His tour included a poignant visit to village Baila in Tehsil Mandi to meet the family of an individual who lost his life in Poonch city due to the cross-border shelling, offering condolences and assuring them of all possible support from the district administration. Similarly, he met the family of another shelling victim in village Kojra, Tehsil Haveli, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to stand by them. Crucially, DC Kundal directed the Tehsildars of Mandi and Haveli to immediately commence the assessment of damages to private property, emphasizing the need for swift reporting to expedite relief and compensation measures.
The District Administration Poonch has assured the public that all essential services, including healthcare and supplies, are functioning smoothly. Hospitals across the district are reported to be fully operational with sufficient stocks of essential medicines and drugs, and ambulance services remain readily available. Banking services, including ATMs, are functioning, and there is an adequate availability of commodities like food grains, petrol, diesel, and LPG, with a stable supply chain. The Power and Water Supply departments have reportedly restored major supply lines, ensuring regular electricity and clean drinking water to previously affected areas. The DC has also activated the District Emergency Operation Cell (DEOC) Poonch (01965-220888) and a Joint Control Room (PCR: 9086253188 / 01965-220258) for public assistance.
Simultaneously, SSP Poonch Shafket Hussain has been leading the Police Department’s response with courage and compassion. On May 9th, he visited the forward border area of Khari Karmara, supervising the smooth and efficient evacuation of residents from the vulnerable village, interacting with them and assuring them of police commitment to their security. Later, on Monday, May 13th, accompanied by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Headquarters Poonch, Neeraj Sharma, SSP Hussain visited the forward border village of Degwar, situated across the fence, to assess the security situation and boost public confidence following unprovoked shelling. He patiently listened to residents’ grievances, assuring them of unwavering support and reviewing security arrangements.
Similarly, on May 11th, SSP Shafket Hussain, along with SDPO Mendhar, SHO Police Station Mendhar, and In-Charge Police Post Mankote, visited the family of Martyr Balvinder Kour in Mankote, who tragically lost her life due to cross-border shelling. He paid heartfelt condolences and assured the bereaved family of all possible assistance, urging the public to remain vigilant and report any unexploded shells.
Additional SP Poonch, Mohan Sharma, has also been actively involved, visiting forward border villages like Jhullas, Mangnar, and Salotri on May 11th, accompanied by the Incharge Police Post (IC PP) Jhullas, to reassure the local population and address their grievances. On May 13th, ASP Sharma, along with ICPP Bandchechyan Venktash Sharma, visited Shahpur and Qasba, interacting with affected locals and supervising the sanitization exercise of unexploded shells in the area.
This concerted and visible presence of senior district officials, from DC Kundal and SSP Hussain to ACR Sayeed, Addl SP Sharma, DySP Sharma, and various Tehsildars and Police Post Incharges, reflects the administration’s prompt, empathetic, and hands-on approach to managing the crisis, ensuring that the needs of the affected population are addressed effectively during this deeply distressing time
