Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has pledged to sponsor the education of 22 children from Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district who lost one or both parents during Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in May 2025. The shelling, which occurred between May 7 and 10, followed India’s Operation Sindoor—a military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Gandhi visited Poonch soon after the cross-border attacks and met with the bereaved families. He directed local Congress leaders to compile a list of school-aged children who had been orphaned or lost their primary caregivers. So far, 22 children have been identified, with more expected to be added as the ongoing survey concludes.
Jammu and Kashmir Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra, currently visiting affected families, confirmed that the first tranche of financial support will be released soon. The aid will cover the children’s educational needs until they complete their studies, ensuring continuity in their academic lives despite the tragedy.
Of the 28 civilian deaths recorded during the Pakistani shelling and drone attacks, 13 occurred in Poonch alone. Gandhi’s initiative is seen as a compassionate step to support families devastated by the violence, particularly by securing the future of children left vulnerable by the conflict.
The move has drawn attention amid the broader political discussions surrounding Operation Sindoor, highlighting the importance of rehabilitation and support for victims of cross-border hostilities.