J-K: Army soldier killed in Pakistan’s shelling across LoC in Poonch

As Pakistan continued its cross-border shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in the wake of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army confirmed the death of an Indian soldier in Poonch, 32-year-old Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar.

“#GOC and all ranks of #WhiteKnightCorps salute the supreme sacrifice of L/Nk Dinesh Kumar of 5 Fd Regt, who laid down his life on 07 May 25 during Pakistan Army shelling. We also stand in solidarity with all victims of the targeted attacks on innocent civilians in #Poonch Sector," White Knight Corps said in a post on X.

Who was Dinesh Kumar?

Dinesh hailed from Mohammadpur village in the Palwal district, Haryana. He was recruited into the army in 2014 and was recently promoted to the post of Lance Naik. He was posted at Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir around the Line of Control (LoC), when the unfortunate incident occurred.

As news of the soldier's martyrdom spread, tributes poured in from across the nation. Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini expressed heartfelt condolences and immense pride in the courage of Jawan Dinesh Kumar Sharma.

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Writing on social media platform X, he said: “In the face of Pakistan’s firing in Poonch this morning after 'Operation Sindoor', Haryana’s brave son from Palwal, Jawan Dinesh Kumar Sharma, made the supreme sacrifice. Every citizen of the country is proud of your martyrdom. This nation will never forget your sacrifice. I salute this bravery.”

Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda also paid tribute to Dinesh's sacrifice in a post on X, saying, “I salute his martyrdom and offer deep condolences for the bereaved family in the hour of grief”.

Heavy shelling in Poonch

In what was a horrific day for residents of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, over 15 civilians were killed and more than 40 were injured after Pakistan resorted to intense shelling and small arms firing in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The shelling came just hours after India carried out precision missile strikes on nine terrorist launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

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These strikes were in direct retaliation for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead, including an Indian Naval officer, Vinay Narwal.

Officials said the Indian Army is responding to the shelling in a befitting manner. Since the Indian strikes in Pakistan and PoK, small arms fire has given way to heavy artillery along the LoC.