Senior J&K Officer Killed, Two Injured in Pakistani Shelling in Rajouri
Amid intensifying hostilities between India and Pakistan, a senior civil servant was killed and two others critically injured in a cross-border shelling incident early Saturday in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Raj Kumar Thappa lost his life when a Pakistani artillery shell struck his residence, officials confirmed.
The shelling, which targeted civilian areas in Rajouri town, occurred amid ongoing military escalations along the Line of Control (LoC). Thappa and his two staff members were rushed to the Government Medical College after sustaining serious injuries. While Thappa succumbed to his wounds, the condition of his staffers remains critical, according to local officials.
The tragic death of the senior official has sent shockwaves through the Jammu and Kashmir administration. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow and described the incident as a devastating loss for the state.
Taking to social media platform X, Abdullah wrote, “Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administration Services. Just yesterday he was accompanying the Deputy CM around the district & attended the online meeting I chaired.”
He added, “Today the residence of the officer was hit by Pak shelling as they targeted Rajouri town, killing our Additional District Development Commissioner Sh Raj Kumar Thappa. I’ve no words to express my shock & sadness at this terrible loss of life. May his soul rest in peace.”
In the wake of the attack, Abdullah issued an urgent appeal to the public. “It’s my earnest appeal to everyone in and around Jammu — please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours. Ignore rumours, don’t spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories and we will get through this together,” he urged.
The latest incident adds to a growing list of Pakistani provocations along the LoC. Defence sources reported that the Indian Army has destroyed several Pakistani posts and terrorist launch pads near Jammu that were being used to launch tube-launched drones into Indian territory.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan conducted unprovoked attacks on civilian areas in Jammu. Videos circulating on social media show residential damage caused by shelling. In a separate incident in Ferozepur, a Pakistani drone strike injured three civilians, heightening fears of further escalation.
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have risen significantly in recent days, with increased missile, drone, and artillery activity being reported across border regions. Security forces remain on high alert as engagements continue across multiple sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.
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