A senior Jammu and Kashmir official and two civilians were killed early Saturday in Rajouri amid intense artillery firing by Pakistan as India retaliated to a series of air attacks overnight. The Additional District Development Commissioner of Rajouri, Raj Kumar Thapa, 55, succumbed to critical injuries Saturday morning after a Pakistani shell fell on his house. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his shock and condolences over the incident on social media, stating that the unfortunate event occurred just a day after Thapa had accompanied Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary around the district.
Abdullah wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, "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." He also urged the public to stay indoors and avoid spreading unverified information.
Thapa, who graduated with an MBBS from Jammu government medical college in 1989, was critically injured when a shell struck his residence in DC Colony during the overnight shelling. He was rushed to the Government Medical College but succumbed to his injuries a few hours later. The shelling also resulted in the deaths of two other civilians in Rajouri, highlighting the escalating violence in the region.
The early morning escalation came just hours after Pakistan launched swarms of drones targeting military installations in multiple cities along India’s northern and western frontiers. Reports indicate that Indian defense systems successfully thwarted one such attempt aimed at the Air Force Station. Residents in Jammu reported hearing intermittent explosions throughout the night and into the early morning, with Rajouri city facing intense artillery shelling and direct fire.
In addition to Rajouri, explosions were reported in Srinagar near the airport around 5:20 AM, Baramulla around 4:50 AM, and Udhampur, as well as in Pathankot, where multiple explosions were heard around dawn. The district administration has declared a high alert in response to the situation, urging residents to stay indoors.
In the wake of these hostilities, the Jammu and Kashmir government has established relief camps for civilians displaced by the violence. Authorities are working to ensure the safety of residents in border areas, with security measures being reinforced across the region. The Chief Minister’s office has also called for calm and urged people to avoid panic.
Earlier, on May 9, a villager was killed and three others were injured in shelling by Pakistan in forward areas of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Rajouri districts. High-intensity blasts were reported between 3:50 AM and 4:45 AM, prompting immediate responses from the Indian Army. The deceased, identified as Mohd Abrar of Loran area, was among those affected by the ongoing violence.
In light of the escalating tensions, Indian armed forces have been actively engaged in thwarting attacks from across the border. The Indian Army reported that they successfully intercepted and neutralized missiles and drones targeting key locations in Jammu and surrounding areas. This included a major escalation where eight missiles were fired from Pakistan targeting civilian and strategic locations, which were all intercepted by Indian Air Defence units.
As the situation remains critical, the Indian government is set to hold a detailed briefing regarding the attacks launched by Pakistan and India’s retaliation. The union government officials have indicated that they will provide further updates on the military engagement and the ongoing security measures being implemented in response to the hostilities.
The continuous shelling from the Pakistani side has resulted in significant damage to residential houses and infrastructure in the affected areas. Many civilians have been evacuated to safer locations, and schools, colleges, and universities in the region have been closed as a precautionary measure.
In conclusion, the recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir have raised concerns about the safety and security of residents in border areas, as well as the potential for further escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan. The loss of lives, including that of a dedicated public servant, underscores the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict and a return to peace in the region.
