Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a visit to the frontier district of Poonch on May 30, announced a comprehensive special relief package for residents affected by recent cross-border shelling from Pakistan.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of border communities, Shah also revealed that the number of underground bunkers along the Line of Control (LoC) would be increased beyond the current 90,000.
Addressing a public gathering after handing over appointment letters to the next of kin of civilians killed in Pakistani shelling, Shah underscored the Centre’s solidarity with the affected families.
“While no government job or financial assistance can ever truly compensate for the lives lost, this initiative is a testament to our nation’s support and resolve,”
Shah said, adding that the damage in affected regions like Poonch was being assessed, and all necessary support would be extended.
The Home Minister highlighted that 90,000 bunkers had already been built to safeguard border residents and assured that additional infrastructure and safety measures are underway.
Shah also spoke candidly about recent military developments, citing “Operation Sindoor” — a targeted offensive by the Indian Army against terrorist camps across the border.
“Our operation focused solely on terror infrastructure. However, Pakistan retaliated by shelling civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir, including religious sites,” he said.
Following this, Shah revealed, the Indian Armed Forces responded with decisive force, neutralizing nine Pakistani airbases. “Only after that did Pakistan call for a ceasefire.Let me make it clear—India will not tolerate terrorism on its soil,” he asserted.
In the aftermath of the attacks, Shah praised the swift action taken by the local administration, including the Lieutenant Governor and district authorities, in evacuating civilians and ensuring timely relief.
On the diplomatic front, Shah reiterated India’s firm stance: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it unequivocally clear—there will be no dialogue with Pakistan until it completely dismantles its terror networks. Terror and trade cannot coexist; blood and water cannot flow together.”
Referring to the recent terror incident in Pahalgam, Shah lauded the unity and resilience shown by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Their collective voice against terrorism sends a strong message—it will not be allowed to take root here.”
Concluding his address, Shah reaffirmed the government’s twin-track approach of development and security. “Since 2014, development in Jammu and Kashmir has been steady and unstoppable. We will continue this progress, and at the same time, our security forces will eliminate every terrorist threat,” he declared.
