Akal Takht Jathedar condemns Poonch killings, urges India-Pakistan to restore peace

Amritsar: Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, has strongly condemned the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, including the recent attack on Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Central and the killing of civilians in the Poonch region of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement, the Jathedar said that the gurdwara was targeted during shelling by Pakistan in retaliation to India’s Operation Sindoor. He confirmed that three Gursikhs — Bhai Amrik Singh Ragi, Amarjit Singh (a former armyman), and Ranjit Singh (a local shopkeeper) — were killed in the attack.

He also mentioned reports of the death of a Sikh woman, Ruby Kaur, in the Mankote area and added that more casualties were feared in Poonch.

Offering prayers for those killed, the Jathedar urged the governments of India and Pakistan to make sincere efforts to de-escalate the situation and restore peace. “War has always harmed humanity. Innocent people end up paying the price,” he said.

He added that since 1947, both countries have suffered significant losses due to mutual hostility, which has especially impacted Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

Appealing to the people living near the border, he urged them to support each other during this tense time and to draw strength from Gurbani. He prayed to Akal Purakh for lasting peace and harmony in the region.