Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir: Amid intensifying hostilities between India and Pakistan, a senior Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) officer was killed and two of his staff critically injured in Pakistani shelling early Saturday in Rajouri district, officials confirmed.
The deceased, Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Dr Raj Kumar Thapa, was in his residence when it was struck by artillery fire from across the border. Thapa and his injured staff were immediately rushed to the Government Medical College, where he succumbed to his injuries. The condition of the other two staff members remains critical.
Mr Thapa was appointed as ADDC of Rajouri on 15th March, 2024. Before this, he was Special Secretary to the Government, Labour and Employment Department.
The shelling is part of a broader wave of cross-border aggression reportedly initiated by Pakistan, which has involved both artillery shelling and drone strikes in civilian areas. According to defence sources, the Indian Army has since retaliated by targeting and destroying Pakistani posts and suspected terrorist launch pads near the border.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over Thappa’s death in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter). “Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administration Services,” Abdullah wrote. “Just yesterday he was accompanying the Deputy CM around the district & attended the online meeting I chaired.”
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. Today the residence of the officer was hit by Pak shelling as they…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 10, 2025
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 light of the escalating conflict, Abdullah issued a public appeal urging residents of Jammu and surrounding areas to remain indoors. “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 advised.
Pakistan’s unprovoked shelling has impacted several areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border, including Poonch, Mankot, Mendhar, Nowshera, Akhnoor, R.S. Pura, Arnia, Samba, and Kathua. Civilians from at least five districts are being evacuated to safer locations amid continuous fire.
In a separate incident, a drone strike in Ferozepur injured three civilians, further intensifying fears across the region.
Condemning Pakistan’s actions, CM Abdullah affirmed India’s resolve, stating, “India has the right to protect its people and territory with full force.”
