Jammu: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Wednesday handed over cheques for the education expenses of 30 children who lost their parents in Pakistani shelling in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, on behalf of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

Gandhi, the former Congress president, has decided to sponsor the education of children who lost either one or both parents in Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) during Operation Sindoor in May.

The financial assistance was handed over to the selected children by Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra, IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib, AICC secretary Shahnawaz Chaudhary, and J&K Congress working president Raman Bhalla at a function held in Poonch, a party spokesperson said.

"Where governments turn their back, Gandhi stands for help. These are the innocent children of Poonch who lost their parents prematurely in Pakistani shelling, but now they are not alone. People's leader Gandhi has resolved to take responsibility for them," said Chib.

He added that Gandhi has taken responsibility for the education and care of the 30 children and expressed gratitude on behalf of Jammu and Kashmir for the gesture.

Chib urged people to accept the party's small effort and added that Gandhi has always shown that whether in power or not, he stands with the people in both happiness and sorrow.