Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, heavy shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) has resulted in casualties and injuries. The incident occurred in Rajouri, Poonch, and Jammu districts and nearby areas.
A senior government official, Raj Kumar Thappa, Additional District Development Commissioner, was tragically killed. The officer was martyred early Saturday morning. The incident occured when an artillery shell struck his official residence in Rajouri town. During the incident two of his staff members sustained critical injuries.
Top Official Succumbs to Injuries
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday. The officials confirmed that the shelling directly impacted the officer’s residence claiming his life. According to reports, Thappa and his injured staff were immediately rushed to the Government Medical College in Jammu for emergency treatment.
Despite the immediate medical team’s efforts, Mr. Thappa succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, the condition of the two other injured staff members remains critical.
Chief Minister Expresses Grief
Following the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his profound sorrow over the loss of the dedicated officer. In a post on X, “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 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,” Abdullah added.
Abdullah conveyed his shock and sadness over the incident. He also highlighted Mr. Thappa’s recent activities, including accompanying the Deputy Chief Minister and attending an online meeting he had chaired just the previous day. He offered his condolences and prayers for the departed soul.
Indian Army Retaliates, Destroys Pakistani Posts
According to defense sources, following the unprovoked shelling that targeted civilian areas, the Indian Army has retaliated by destroying Pakistani posts and terrorist launch pads near Jammu region. The posts destroyed by the Indian army were allegedly being used to launch tube-launched drones into Indian territory and carried out terrorist activities.
Prior to this incident, Pakistan had carried out an unprovoked attack on Jammu, specifically targeting civilian areas. Footage circulating online showed the damage inflicted on a residential house due to the shelling. In a separate incident, a drone strike in Ferozepur had resulted in injuries to three individuals.
