Pakistan Targeting Gurudwaras, Churches to Incite Communal Discord

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a press briefing on May 9, stated that Pakistan’s claim of not targeting religious sites is false, citing the attack on a Gurudwara in Poonch.

Misri said that Pakistan is attempting to mislead the international community and incite communal discord among masses.

While clarifying that India did not target the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Punjab, Pakistan, Misri emphasised that India’s unity and secular fabric stand as a strong counter to Pakistan’s narrative, reported PTI.

"These claims are completely false again. Pakistan is misusing religious sites to radicalise and indoctrinate terrorists," said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

Yesterday, Pakistan launched "targeted attacks on Sikhs, a gurdwara in Poonch, in which three people were killed," he pointed out.

“These provocative actions that were taken by Pakistan last night were targeted at Indian cities and civilian infrastructure in addition to some military targets. The Indian Armed Forces responded adequately and responsibly. I want to underline that the official denial of these attacks by the Pakistani State Missionary is an example of their duplicity,” Misri added.

As a consequence of security situation, the services of the Kartarpur Corridor have been suspended.

Religious Sites Under Fire

Talking about the heavy shelling on May 7 along the LoC, Misri elaborated that a shell fired from Pakistan landed behind Christ School in Poonch. The shell struck the home of two students from the school, killing both children and seriously injuring their parents.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri added that Pakistan has deliberately targeted religious sites, including Gurudwaras, convents and temples—calling it a “new low” in Pakistan’s actions.

Altogether, shelling and firing from across the Line of Control has claimed 16 lives and injured 59 people, reported NDTV on May 8.

According to reports, the government and army has repeatedly underscored that Operation Sindoor was non-escalatory, precise, controlled and measured, in which terror bases across 9 places in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir have been destroyed.

Misinformation Fuels Communal Tension

Amid the ongoing cross-border firings, social media has seen a surge in misinformation aimed at inciting communal tensions.

One such example, flagged by PIB Fact Check on X, involves a video falsely claiming that 'Indian Muslims are starting fires in Delhi'. In reality, the footage is from a massive fire that broke out at Delhi Haat market in the INA area on the evening of April 30, 2025.