Raj Kumar Thappa, Additional District Development Commissioner, dies after Pakistani artillery hits his Rajouri home.
Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir – May 10, 2025:
A senior government official from Jammu and Kashmir, Raj Kumar Thappa, who served as the Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) of Rajouri, lost his life early Saturday morning following intense cross-border shelling by Pakistani forces. His official residence was directly hit during the attack.
According to local sources, the shelling began around 5:30 AM and targeted civilian areas in Rajouri town. Thappa was gravely injured in the incident and was rushed to Government Medical College, where he succumbed to his injuries. Two of his staff members sustained critical wounds and are undergoing treatment.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administration Services. Just yesterday, he was actively involved in district duties alongside the Deputy CM. Today, his residence was struck in a targeted shelling, claiming his life. I am deeply shocked. May his soul rest in peace.”
This deadly incident comes amid rising military activity along the Line of Control (LoC). Since May 7, India and Pakistan have been engaged in reciprocal hostilities. Pakistan launched "Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos" in retaliation to earlier Indian missile and drone strikes. India, on the other hand, has intercepted multiple drones and reported incoming shelling from across the border.
The escalating conflict has already resulted in dozens of casualties. Indian-administered regions have reported 19 deaths, while Pakistan has claimed at least 17 civilian fatalities on their side.
Global concerns are mounting. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reached out to both sides, urging calm, while countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey have appealed for immediate de-escalation. The G7 nations have also called for restraint and peaceful dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
In response to the rising tension, Indian authorities have issued red alerts in border districts, while Pakistan has temporarily closed parts of its airspace. Security forces on both sides remain on high alert, with emergency meetings underway to assess the situation.
The death of ADDC Raj Kumar Thappa has sent shockwaves through the administrative and civil service communities, symbolizing the grave risks officials face in conflict-prone zones.
