Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has decided to adopt 22 children who were orphaned during intense cross-border artillery shelling in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The shelling was carried out by the Pakistani Army in response to India’s Operation Sindoor, a coordinated military strike launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, that killed 26 civilians, including women and children.

The LoC (Line of Control) witnessed heavy shelling in May, following India's missile strikes on nine major terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This included key militant strongholds such as Jaish-e-Mohammad’s Bahawalpur base and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Muridke headquarters. The Indian Army had launched these precise operations to dismantle critical terrorist infrastructure and deliver a strong message to groups involved in the Pahalgam massacre.

The Pakistani response to these strikes was intense and targeted several sectors along the LoC, particularly the Poonch region, where shelling destroyed civilian homes and resulted in the deaths of numerous non-combatants. Among the most tragic consequences was the death of multiple parents, leaving 22 children orphaned.

Moved by their plight, Rahul Gandhi has taken personal responsibility for the upbringing and education of these children. A source from his office confirmed that these children will be provided with comprehensive support including housing, education, healthcare, and emotional care under a long-term rehabilitation initiative. The Congress leader reportedly made the decision following discussions with relief workers, Army personnel, and social activists working in the region.

Background of Operation Sindoor

Following the Pahalgam attack on April 22, where 26 innocent lives were lost in a premeditated terrorist strike, public outcry and political pressure mounted for swift retaliatory action. The Central Government, after strategic deliberations with military intelligence and security agencies, greenlit Operation Sindoor—a series of targeted missile strikes on May 7.

The strikes destroyed key terror hideouts in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and other remote pockets known to house foreign-trained militants. It was reported that the operation caused significant damage to the logistics and command structure of terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and other lesser-known yet dangerous splinter groups.

International observers, including diplomats from the US, UK, and France, acknowledged India’s right to self-defense while urging restraint along the LoC. Despite this, Pakistan retaliated with heavy shelling aimed at both military and civilian locations, particularly targeting border districts like Poonch, Rajouri, and Uri.

Humanitarian Impact

While the military objectives were achieved with precision, the civilian toll in the border districts—especially Poonch—was high. Relief efforts led by BSF, Army medical teams, and state disaster response units were swift, but the damage to homes and families was irreversible in many cases.

Rahul Gandhi, during his visit to a relief camp in Poonch earlier this month, reportedly met several of the children who had lost both parents in the shelling. Moved by their stories and the condition of the temporary shelters, he made an emotional commitment to take full responsibility for 22 such children.

These children are expected to be shifted to a facility in Jammu initially, with long-term plans to resettle them in safe, family-like environments either in Delhi or Bengaluru, according to officials from the Congress Social Welfare Cell.

Political and Social Reactions

The gesture by Rahul Gandhi was widely appreciated across political lines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the move "a noble act of compassion beyond politics." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated in Parliament, "Such acts remind us of our shared humanity despite ideological differences." Several regional leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, including Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, praised the Opposition Leader’s decision as "a step that brings healing to a wounded region."

On social media, the news quickly went viral, with hashtags such as #RahulGandhiAdopts22, #OperationSindoor, and #PoonchOrphans trending nationally. Users lauded the move as a "rare moment of political humanity" and called for other leaders to follow suit in rehabilitation efforts for war-affected civilians.

Security Status in the Region

The security situation along the LoC continues to remain tense, though no new artillery exchanges have been reported since mid-July. The Indian Army maintains high alert status in Poonch and adjoining districts, and drone surveillance has been intensified.

As of July 29, relief work is ongoing with over 1,000 families receiving aid, and temporary shelters have been constructed for over 400 individuals displaced due to damage to their homes. The government has also announced a ₹5 lakh compensation for families who lost members in the Pakistani shelling.

Future of the 22 Children

Congress sources have stated that these children will be enrolled in residential schools with English medium education and will also receive psychological counselling to overcome the trauma. Each child will have a dedicated mentor, and their long-term progress will be monitored directly by Rahul Gandhi’s office.

A public trust is also being set up under the Jawahar Foundation to fund the care of these and potentially other affected children in future incidents of conflict. The foundation will receive contributions from various donors and well-wishers, with Rahul Gandhi pledging his annual MPLADS fund toward the trust’s corpus.

Conclusion

The tragedy in Poonch has brought into sharp focus the human cost of cross-border conflict, but Rahul Gandhi’s decision to adopt and support the orphaned children has sparked hope and set a precedent for political leaders to engage with humanitarian issues directly. As these children embark on a new path under his care, the nation watches with cautious optimism, hoping that compassion will continue to be a guiding principle in times of crisis.

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