Grief and shock have gripped a family in Khai Pheme Ki village after one of its members succumbed to injuries sustained when debris from an intercepted Pakistani drone ignited a fire at their home. Late Monday night, 48-year-old Sukhwinder Kaur passed away at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in Ludhiana, where she had been battling severe burns since the incident on May 11.
The tragedy unfolded just after 9 pm when the family—gathered for their evening meal on the open verandah of their home, located roughly 12 km from the Ferozepur district headquarters—heard a loud crash. Debris from a downed drone, intercepted by India’s Air Defence system, plummeted onto their property, landing near their parked car. The impact sparked a fierce blaze that quickly engulfed the vehicle and spread toward the house.
Sukhwinder Kaur bore the brunt of the flames, suffering burns over her entire body. Her husband, 50-year-old Lakhwinder Singh, was also badly burned, with doctors estimating his injuries at around 70 percent. Their 22-year-old son, Jaswant Singh, sustained less severe injuries and remains in stable condition at Ferozepur Civil Hospital.
A close family relative, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed Sukhwinder Kaur’s death late on Monday. “She fought bravely, but her injuries were too extensive,” the relative said. “Lakhwinder and Jaswant are still recovering, but their condition has stabilized.” Authorities have dispatched police personnel to Ludhiana today to escort the deceased’s body back to their native village for the final rites.
This marks the first civilian fatality linked to cross-border drone activity in Punjab this year. Local officials have launched an inquiry into the sequence of events that led to the drone debris falling into a populated area. Police in Ferozepur are also coordinating with district authorities to assess any further risks to nearby communities.
Residents of Khai Pheme Ki are left reeling as they grapple with both the personal loss and the broader security concerns posed by drones crossing the international boundary. “We never imagined such violence could reach our doorstep,” said another villager. “Now we have to live in fear every time a drone flies overhead.”
Meanwhile, state and central security agencies are reviewing air defense protocols to prevent similar incidents. In Ludhiana, the burnt-out remains of the family’s car serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed when military hardware collides with civilian life. As the community mourns, many are calling for stricter patrols and faster response mechanisms to safeguard border villages from unintended harm.
