Poonch Twins’ Family Mourns Irreplaceable Loss Amidst Ceasefire
Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir – The remote border region of Poonch has been rocked by tragedy as a family mourns the loss of their twin children, Zain Ali and Urwa Fatima, both 12 years old, who were killed instantly in Pakistani shelling on May 7th. The incident occurred as tensions between India and Pakistan escalated, resulting in a string of casualties along the Line of Control (LoC).
The twins were outside their home, opposite the Christ School where they were in class 5, preparing to leave for safety with relatives in Jammu. As they walked down a lane, a shell exploded behind their house, killing Urwa instantly.
“She bled to death within minutes,” recalled Maria Khan, Urusa’s sister, speaking on behalf of her grief-stricken sister, Urusa, who was holding Urwa’s hand at the time.
Zain was flung several houses away. His injuries were severe, with a gaping wound in his stomach and exposed intestines. Local residents rushed to help, but he tragically passed away shortly after.
The family rushed both children to the Poonch District Hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival. Their father, Rameez Khan, was also injured in the shelling and suffered a punctured liver and rib cage. He was found later and taken to the hospital after the children’s deaths.
Amidst the devastation, news of a ceasefire broke, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy. However, the family’s grief was overwhelming.
“This is a relief but it’s come at a cost. Our loss is irreplaceable,” said Sohail Khan, the children’s uncle.
Sohail and Maria, who are supporting Urusa and Rameez, are appealing for better safety measures for residents living in border regions.
“We need a trauma care hospital, we need proper bunkers, and timely ambulances,” Sohail pleaded. “Life and death is in the hands of God, but at least the government can try better to ensure our safety,”
While acknowledging the difficulties, they expressed their support for the country’s leaders during this tense period.
