POONCH, Jammu and Kashmir — July 30: The Congress party will fund the school education of 30 children in Poonch district who lost their parents in Pakistani shelling earlier this May, Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Uday Bhanu Chib announced Tuesday.
The initiative, spearheaded by Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, aims to provide long-term support to children directly affected by the cross-border violence.
“These children have suffered unimaginable loss,” Chib said. “Rahul Gandhi has decided to sponsor their school education entirely, and they will continue studying in institutions within Poonch.”
The decision follows Gandhi’s visit to Christ School in Poonch on May 24, less than three weeks after the region was hit by intense Pakistani artillery, drone and missile strikes in retaliation to India’s Operation Sindoor — a counter-terror response to the Pahalgam massacre.
Between May 7 and 10, 28 civilians were killed across Jammu and Kashmir, including 16 in Poonch district. Over 70 others were injured in the shelling, which followed Indian air and ground strikes on nine terrorist launch pads across the border on May 6–7.
Among the youngest victims were 13-year-old twins Ayan and Aruba, students at Christ School and children of Rameez Khan. They were killed near their home on the morning of May 7 as shells rained down on civilian areas.
During his meeting with local schoolchildren, Gandhi encouraged students to persist with their studies despite the violence.
“You’ve seen a little danger and fear, but don’t worry—life will return to normal,” Gandhi told the children. “Your response should be to study hard, play, and build friendships. Will you promise me that?”
The Congress party has framed the education support as a direct response to the community’s loss, seeking to ease the long-term trauma children are now navigating.
“These children don’t just need compassion, they need a future,” Chib added. “This is one step in that direction.”
