May 24, 2025: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced Friday that damage assessments from cross-border shelling by Pakistan are nearly complete. His government will then seek central aid for victims.
"The assessment is almost complete. We await reports from two districts. Once received, we'll approach the Government of India for a relief package," Abdullah told Srinagar reporters.
Villages along the Line of Control and International Border suffered extensive damage from Pakistani shelling following India's Operation Sindoor strikes. This retaliatory shelling caused significant civilian casualties.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha earlier this week offered government jobs to the families of those killed in Poonch by the shelling.

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude for opposition visits to shelling-affected areas, including one from Trinamool Congress, following Operation Sindoor. He noted Rahul Gandhi's upcoming Poonch visit to meet victims, adding, "I'm especially thankful to the Trinamool leaders; they were first to arrive in Poonch and are now in Rajouri. These visits show support during difficult times." Regarding public meetings, he stated this is standard practice for elected officials: "It's our duty to reach out, listen to problems, and strive for solutions." Dismissing BJP claims of National Conference resolutions being influenced by the ISI, he simply said, "Let them say." He declined to comment on the CBI chargesheet against former Governor Satyapal Malik, filed Thursday, concerning alleged corruption in the Kiru hydropower project's award of ?2,200 crore worth of civil works.