Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today visited Poonch where they met the residents affected by cross border shelling recently.

They conducted door-to-door visits to several homes damaged during the shelling, assessing the situation on ground.

They interacted with the victims of the shelling and expressed solidarity with them. They visited Gurdawara Singh Sabha, Jamia Zia Ul Uloom, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Christ High School besides meeting with the affected families in their homes.

The two leaders met varied sections of the society and inspected the extent of damage to homes and other infrastructural establishments.

Poonch, among other border areas has borne the brunt of the shelling, resulting in the loss of innocent civilian lives and significant damage to homes and infrastructure.

Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, Rana said that the locals have suffered immense pain and loss and we need to join hands and make a real difference in their lives.

“Our government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to reach all those households that have suffered losses. We are duty bound to provide relief to them to help them rebuild their lives,” he said.

The government had announced an ex-gratia relief of ₹10 lakh for the families of those killed in the Pakistan shelling.

The two leaders also assessed the extent of damage caused by the shelling and assured the people of prioritising restoration work.

They emphasized the need for immediate action to address the humanitarian needs of those affected by the shelling.

Javed Rana had, earlier, conducted an extensive tour of the border areas wherein he had instructed the officers to engage closely with the victim families and extend all possible support to them. He had directed that compensation to the affected people should be processed expeditiously, ensuring that they receive the necessary assistance to rebuild their lives.