Altaf Hussain
Poonch, May 24, 2025: Cabinet Minister and senior J&K National Conference leader Javed Ahmed Rana today welcomed Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi at *Jammu Airport, as the two leaders embarked on a joint visit to *Poonch to meet families affected the recent tragic shelling along the Line of Control (LoC).
The joint visit reflects an extraordinary show of unity and human concern across political lines, as both leaders committed themselves to standing the people of border areas who continue to bear the brunt of cross-border hostilities.
Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, representing the people of Poonch and Rajouri for decades, expressed heartfelt appreciation for Shri Rahul Gandhi’s visit, describing it as “a beacon of hope and compassion in times of despair.” He stated, “Rahul ji’s presence here is more than political—it’s deeply human. The people of Poonch, especially those who have lost their loved ones or been displaced due to the shelling, need to feel that the nation cares, that their pain matters.”
The two leaders are scheduled to visit several affected villages in Poonch district, interact with displaced families, and assess the damage caused shelling. The visit aims to highlight the plight of civilians living in border areas, often forgotten in national discourse, and to draw attention to the urgent need for enhanced relief, rehabilitation, and long-term peace-building measures.
*J&K National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, in a statement from Srinagar, hailed the initiative as a “timely and symbolic gesture.” He remarked, *“This visit sends a strong message of solidarity with the border population. It reminds us that in the face of tragedy, human dignity must prevail over political differences. I thank both Javed Sahib and Rahul Gandhi for standing with our people.”
Omar Abdullah further reiterated the party’s longstanding demand for comprehensive border protection measures, including reinforced civilian bunkers, better evacuation protocols, and a sustainable peace process that addresses the root causes of LoC volatility.
The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference calls upon all political parties to take cues from this exemplary act of unity and engage meaningfully in alleviating the suffering of J&K’s border communities. We remain committed to working for peace, justice, and the dignified rehabilitation of all affected families.
