Srinagar : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Friday that the assessment of damage caused by Pakistani shelling in the border areas is nearly complete. He said a relief package will be formulated for the border residents after consultation with the union government.
Talking to reporters here the Chief Minister said “The assessment is almost done. It is, however, yet to come from two districts. After that, we will take up with the central government and try to prepare a package”. The cross border shelling intensified in J&K after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ during the night of May 6–7, targeting 9 major terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) to avenge the killing of 26 civilians in the tourist resort of Pahalgam.
At least 23 civilians were killed and hundreds of houses were damaged in Pakistani shelling across J&K. The peace returned on the borders after India and Pakistan announced ceasefire on May 10. J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and BJP leaders extensively travelled in the border areas of J&K over the last two weeks. Omar said that the Congress Member Parliament and leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, will visit Poonch- one of the worst hit district in recent Pakistani shelling- tomorrow. “ He is coming to Poonch and it is a good thing,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister thanked the Trinamool Congress for sending their five-member team to meet the victims of the recent Pakistan shelling. This was the first team of any national party to visit the shelling-affected areas.
“They (Trinamool Congress) started it first. Five of their members came. They went by road to Poonch and now they are in Rajouri. They will go back to Jammu from Rajouri. It is a good thing that they are coming and listening to the people,” Omar said. “ In these difficult times, it is good thing as we feel that some people are standing with us,” he added.
