Akal Takht Jathedar Condemns Poonch Shelling, Urges Peace Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions
By Sukhi, Sikh Community Journalist
CHANDIGARH, May 8, 2025 — Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has strongly condemned the recent shelling in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, which resulted in the deaths of 5 Sikh community members and damage to the Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib. The attack occurred amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following India’s Operation Sindoor.
“The attack on Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha and the loss of Sikh lives is not just an event—it is a blow to humanity,” Jathedar Gargaj stated. He emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts, urging both nations to “act with wisdom, not weapons.” Highlighting the prolonged suffering since 1947, he remarked, “War always devours the innocent… Peace is not weakness—it is the strength we must summon.”
The shelling led to the deaths of at least four Sikh individuals, including Bhai Amrik Singh, a devotional singer; Bhai Amarjeet Singh, a retired soldier; Bhai Ranjit Singh, a shopkeeper; and Bibi Ruby Kaur, a homemaker. The gurdwara sustained damage, and the local Sikh community, estimated between 25,000 and 30,000, is in mourning.
Related Post: Pakistan Condemns Attack on Sikh Community in Poonch, Calls for International Investigation
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with the victims’ families and calling for the deceased to be honored as martyrs. He stated, “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.”
The incident has intensified calls for peace and diplomatic resolution, with community leaders and officials urging both India and Pakistan to prioritize dialogue over conflict to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
