POONCH, May 7 — Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, on Wednesday denounced the Pakistani shelling that struck Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Poonch town, Jammu region, killing four members of the Sikh community, including a devotional singer.
The attack came hours after India launched missile strikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
In the subsequent retaliation, 12 civilians were killed in cross-border shelling—four of them Sikhs.
Among those killed was Amrik Singh, a raagi (devotional hymn singer) who was inside the gurdwara at the time of the shelling.
The others included Amarjeet Singh, an ex-serviceman; Ranjeet Singh, a shopkeeper from Poonch; and Balvinder Kour, also known as Ruby, a resident of Mankote.
“The repeated escalation across the border continues to take innocent lives. War always harms humanity,” said Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht.
“Every possible effort must be made to resolve this conflict and restore peace. The governments of both India and Pakistan must act sincerely.”
Posting his statement on X, the Jathedar expressed grief over the loss of life and offered prayers for the departed souls.
He said the shelling at the gurdwara not only caused death but also struck a place of worship and refuge, amplifying the community’s sorrow.
“Since Partition, Sikh and Hindu communities living in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir have borne the brunt of conflict,” he said.
The shelling has once again raised concerns over civilian safety along the Line of Control, particularly in religious and residential areas.
Authorities in Poonch said rescue operations were ongoing, while security forces remain on high alert.
