AMRITSAR: Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has strongly condemned the attack in the Poonch region of Kashmir, where civilians, including Sikhs, were killed and a gurdwara was attacked amid rising tensions and cross-border attacks between India and Pakistan.
Jathedar Gargajj stated that during Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling in Poonch—following India’s Operation Sindoor—the central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha was hit. During the attacks in Poonch, three Gursikhs were killed - Bhai Amrik Singh (a raagi), Bhai Amarjeet Singh (a retired army soldier), and Bhai Ranjit Singh (a local shopkeeper). Additionally, reports have emerged of a Sikh woman named Ruby Kaur being killed in the Mankote area. Other civilian casualties in Poonch have also come to light. The Jathedar offered prayers for the spiritual peace of those who lost their lives and strength for their families to endure the loss.
He emphasized that both nations’ governments must immediately make sincere efforts to restore peace. “War always severely harms humanity, often resulting in the deaths of many innocent people, ” he said. “Therefore, every possible effort must be made to resolve the current situation peacefully.”
Jathedar Gargajj also noted that since 1947, both countries have suffered immense losses due to ongoing hostilities—particularly the Hindu and Sikh communities in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
He urged border residents to support one another during these tense times, seek solace in Gurbani, and pray to the Akal Purakh (the One Timeless being) for peace and strength.
Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj offered Ardas (Sikh prayer) to the Akal Purakh that peace and harmony may always prevail in this region.