Punjab woman dies after Pakistani drone strike, first civilian casualty outside J&K

A woman injured in a Pakistani drone attack in Punjab’s Ferozepur district on May 9 has succumbed to her injuries after three days of treatment, marking the first civilian death outside Jammu and Kashmir since cross-border tensions escalated.

The woman and her family were caught in a blaze after a drone strike set their house on fire.

As per reports, Lakhwinder Singh, his wife, and brother Monu Singh suffered severe burns and were rushed to a private hospital, where she passed away after three days of treatment.

The drone strike was part of widespread shelling by Pakistan in over 25 locations across Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Rajasthan.

Most drones were intercepted by Indian defence systems, but some caused damage and casualties on the ground.

The attacks followed Pakistan’s violation of the ceasefire after India launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 28 people. 

Operation Sindoor was launched by India on May 7-8 in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack at the Baisaran meadow, where Pakistan-backed terrorists killed innocent tourists and people. The operation targeted multiple terrorist camps across Pakistan, including those of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammed. 

India’s military response included airstrikes and ground operations aimed at neutralising terrorist infrastructure. 

The operation escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, leading to a series of border skirmishes and cross-border shelling, particularly along the Line of Control and the International Border.