Akal Takht condemns attack on Poonch gurdwara killing 3 civilians

Akal Takht’s officiating jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has strongly condemned the recent attack in the Poonch region of Kashmir, where civilians, including Sikhs, were killed and a gurdwara was targeted amidst escalating tensions and cross-border attacks between India and Pakistan.

According to Gargaj, during Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling in Poonch following India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha was hit, resulting in significant damage. A video showcasing the destruction in the gurdwara building went viral, highlighting the severity of the attack.

The jathedar expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, including three Gursikhs: Amrik Singh (a raagi), Amarjeet Singh (a retired army soldier), and Ranjit Singh (a local shopkeeper). Reports also emerged of a Sikh woman named Ruby Kaur being killed in the Mankote area, along with other civilian casualties in Poonch.

Jathedar Gargaj offered prayers for the spiritual peace of those who lost their lives and strength for their families to endure the loss. He emphasised the need for both nations to make sincere efforts to restore peace, stating, “War always harms humanity severely, often resulting in the deaths of many innocent people. Therefore, every possible effort must be made to resolve the current situation peacefully.”

The jathedar noted that since 1947, both countries have suffered immense losses due to ongoing hostilities, particularly affecting the Hindu and Sikh communities in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. He urged border residents to support each other during these tense times, seek solace in Gurbani, and pray to the Akal Purakh for peace and strength.

In a post on X, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “Strongly condemn the inhuman attack by Pakistani forces on the sacred Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Poonch, in which three innocent Gursikhs, including Bhai Amrik Singh Ji (a raagi Singh), Bhai Amarjeet Singh and Bhai Ranjit Singh lost their lives.”

He said his party expresses complete solidarity with the families of the deceased and prays for peace for the departed and courage for their friends and loved ones.

“We demand that the martyrs be honoured for their sacrifice and that the bereaved families receive adequate compensation to support them in their time of grief.

“The Sikhs have always been, and will continue to be, the sword arm of the country. We stand like a rock with our armed forces. Although the Shiromani Akali Dal and our country stand for peace, if our honour is challenged by the enemy, we need no reminder to fulfil our patriotic duties,” said Badal.

(With inputs from PTI)

Amritsar