A 50-year-old woman from Punjab, Sukhwinder Kaur, who was critically injured during a Pakistani aerial intrusion in Ferozepur last week, died on Tuesday at a private hospital in Ludhiana. Her husband, Lakhwinder Singh, 55, and their son, Monu Singh, 24, are still undergoing treatment for severe burn injuries.
The incident occurred on May 9 when an unidentified projectile, part of a series of aerial attacks launched by Pakistan along India’s western borders, struck the home of Kaur’s family in the Khai Pheme Ke village. The impact caused a fire, severely damaging the structure and a nearby car. Indian security forces had successfully thwarted several aerial attacks, but Kaur and her family became victims of the fallout.
Following her death, the family took to the streets and blocked the Ferozepur-Fazilka highway, demanding Rs 1 crore in compensation and martyr status for Kaur. The family was supported by locals and farmer unions, with many voicing strong opposition to the state government’s initial offer of Rs 5 lakh in compensation. The family termed this gesture as a “cruel joke,” emphasizing the enormity of their loss.
BJP leader Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi met with the family to express his support. Subsequently, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann raised the compensation amount to Rs 10 lakh, following a contribution from Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora. The protest was called off later in the evening after assurances from MLA Ranbir Singh Bhullar, who pledged to take the family’s demands to the state government.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his condolences, stating that the government stands with the grieving family and will extend all possible support to help them cope with their tragic loss.
This incident comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, with both countries having agreed on May 10 to halt military actions after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Sources By Agencies