In retaliation to recent Indian strikes, Pakistani forces continued heavy shelling across border areas on Wednesday, resulting in the death of an Indian soldier, according to the Indian Army.
The deceased has been identified as Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar. His death was confirmed around 11 p.m. on Wednesday. With his passing, the total number of Indian casualties in the ongoing border conflict has risen to 13, of which 12 are civilians.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Indian Army`s 16 Corps, also known as the White Knight Corps, stated: “The GOC and all ranks of the White Knight Corps pay homage to Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of 5 Field Regiment, who laid down his life in the line of duty during unprovoked shelling by Pakistan on May 7. We stand with those affected in Poonch sector by the targeting of innocent civilians.”
Pakistani shelling was reported throughout the day in border areas, particularly in the Poonch region of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, leaving around 40 people injured.
Indian military officials stated that they are responding appropriately to the shelling. Following Indian strikes in parts of Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, heavy cross-border shelling by Pakistani forces has intensified.
The worst-affected areas included Krishna Ghati, Shahpur, and Mankote in Poonch district, as well as Lam, Manjakote, and Gambhir Brahmana in Rajouri. In north Kashmir, villages in the Uri sector of Baramulla and Tangdhar in Kupwara were also hit, causing extensive damage.
Officials said some shells reached as far as Gingal village, nearly 30 km from Baramulla town, injuring at least 11 people, most of whom were residents of Salamabad.
A resident of Uri said, “The shelling began around 11 p.m. Tuesday night. We rushed into bunkers, and the intensity increased shortly after. This is the worst shelling we`ve seen since the 2021 ceasefire renewal.”
Authorities reported that many residents near the border have taken shelter in underground bunkers. Even people living farther from the border have suffered losses. Villages like Kamalkote, Salamabad, Dachna, and Gingal were hit, damaging at least 15 houses.
The Indian military had launched strikes in several parts of Pakistan late Tuesday night, with Pakistan reporting 31 deaths and 57 injuries. Meanwhile, India claims 15 of its civilians have been killed and 43 injured in Pakistani retaliation.
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have been steadily rising since the April 22 militant attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which left 26 people—mostly tourists—dead. The situation has now escalated into open cross-border hostilities.
