Pakistani Drone Attack Kills Woman in Punjab, Hospital Asked for Advance Before Help

Ferozepur(The Uttam Hindu): A 50-year-old woman, Sukhwinder Kaur, died after being severely burned in a Pakistani drone strike in Ferozepur district of Punjab, near the India-Pakistan border. The attack occurred on the night of May 9, when a Pakistani drone crashed into her home in the border village of Khai Fame, injuring her and two family members. Her husband, Lakhwinder Singh (55), suffered 70% burns and remains critical, while their son Jaswant Singh (24) is now out of danger.

According to doctors at Ludhiana’s DMC Hospital, Kaur had 100% burns and could not be saved. The family has accused Ferozepur’s private Anil Baghi Hospital of demanding ₹40,000 in advance before beginning treatment, even in a life-threatening emergency.

Following the tragedy, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced ₹5 lakh compensation for the family from the CM Relief Fund and expressed condolences. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora also pledged ₹2 lakh in aid.

The incident was reportedly a retaliation after India’s “Operation Sindoor” on May 7. The drone caused an explosion, damaging the house and a car, and killing animals in the courtyard. The family was first taken to a civil hospital lacking a burn unit and then transferred to the private hospital, which allegedly delayed treatment over payment.

Punjab ministers and political leaders visited the victims, and the government has promised to cover medical expenses. Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya called the incident “tragic” and emphasized that such negligence should not occur again.