Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi has announced that he will personally sponsor the education of 22 children who lost either one or both parents during the Pakistani shelling in Poonch, following Operation Sindoor. These children come from families directly affected in the intense cross-border drone and artillery attacks between May 7 and 10, during which Poonch district alone accounted for 13 civilian deaths out of a total of 28 across Jammu and Kashmir.

Rahul Gandhi visited Poonch in May, interacting with numerous bereaved families and urging local party workers to compile records of school-going survivors. Jammu & Kashmir Congress Chief Tariq Hamid Karra said the first installment of financial aid would be disbursed soon, and assistance will continue until the children complete graduation.

The gesture aims to ensure that the education of these children is not interrupted due to the trauma and loss experienced. Gandhi's support has drawn both praise and criticism - some calling it symbolic, others a meaningful expression of solidarity and empathy for conflict-affected civilians.