As the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir remains tense following India’s Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting on Thursday to assess the worsening security situation and plan the relocation of civilians from vulnerable border villages. The meeting, held with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, lasted nearly an hour and focused on both immediate civilian safety and long-term national security strategy in light of Pakistan’s continued ceasefire violations.
Civilian Toll Rises as Border Areas Bear the Brunt
At least 13 civilians have been confirmed dead, and over 50 others have been injured in Pakistani shelling along the LoC, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. A significant number of the injured—44 individuals—are from the Poonch sector, one of the hardest-hit regions following Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling after India launched precision missile strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These Indian strikes, dubbed Operation Sindoor, were a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians on April 22.
The Pakistan Army, in its retaliatory action, carried out indiscriminate artillery fire and shelling, damaging civilian homes and spreading panic in several villages across Rajouri, Poonch, Uri, and Kupwara districts. Despite Indian forces exercising restraint by avoiding military targets, the Pakistani response has been intense and erratic, with no effort made to avoid civilian areas.
Government Coordinates Relief and Evacuation Efforts
During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi was briefed in detail about the border situation and reviewed the current countermeasures being taken. Home Secretary Govind Mohan updated the Prime Minister on civilian evacuation efforts and the deployment of emergency services to ensure rapid response. Vivek Srivastava, Director-General of Civil Defence, shared details of contingency plans activated across affected areas, while Daljit Singh, Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), provided insights on operational preparedness along the international border.
In a move to safeguard lives, authorities are working to evacuate civilians from the most vulnerable villages. The Prime Minister reportedly directed officials to expedite the relocation process and provide immediate relief to those whose homes and livelihoods have been affected. Meanwhile, security forces have ramped up surveillance, and India remains on high alert for potential escalations. All 25 airports near the Pakistan border have remained shut for the second consecutive day as a precautionary measure.
Nation Remains Vigilant Amid Risk of Further Escalation
Civilians living near the LoC have begun expressing both gratitude for the government’s response and concern about the destruction. One resident whose house was damaged said, “The action taken by PM Modi is very good. We request the government to help us, as my son’s house is damaged.” While India maintains that its actions were non-escalatory and focused only on eliminating terror threats, Pakistan’s aggressive military response risks drawing the region into deeper conflict.
With memories still fresh of the 2019 Balakot airstrikes and the aerial dogfight that followed, the situation remains precarious. At that time, Pakistan’s attempt to retaliate with fighter jets was thwarted by the Indian Air Force, resulting in a tense standoff. Given the current climate, the Indian establishment is not ruling out the possibility of similar provocations. The global community, including nations like the United States, China, and Russia, has expressed growing concern and urged both countries to avoid further military confrontation.
