Rahul Gandhi's Educational Sponsorship for Poonch Children

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has committed to sponsoring the education of 22 children who lost one or both parents during Pakistani shelling in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, according to a party official.

The Pradesh Congress Committee president, Tariq Hameed Karra, dismissed any tensions with the pre-poll alliance partner, National Conference, noting that the Congress is awaiting coordination committee formation with the ruling party for the past nine months.

Karra emphasized the significant civilian casualties during the shelling, which occurred in May. Gandhi visited the region afterward to understand the situation and instructed the preparation of a list of school-going children who lost parents, particularly the bread-earners. This list was subsequently submitted to him.

(With inputs from agencies.)