In a tragic escalation of violence along the Line of Control (LoC), Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) of Rajouri, Raj Kumar Thappa, was killed early this morning after Pakistan resorted to heavy artillery shelling in Rajouri district.
Officials said that Thappa was critically injured during the shelling and was immediately taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed the officer’s death in a post on X. Two staff members were also critically injured.
#WATCH | Poonch, J&K | Residential buildings, vehicles in Poonch suffered damage after heavy cross-border shelling by Pakistan last night. pic.twitter.com/gOclLLPVKQ
— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2025
“Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administrative Services. Just yesterday, he was accompanying the Deputy CM around the district and had joined the online meeting I chaired,” he wrote. "Today, his residence was hit by Pakistani shelling targeting Rajouri town, killing our Additional District Development Commissioner, Shri Raj Kumar Thappa. I have no words to express my shock and sadness at this terrible loss. May his soul rest in peace," Abdullah added.
In addition to the loss in Rajouri, there was heavy shelling on several areas in neighbouring Poonch district last night, including Poonch town, using long-range mortars. One civilian was killed, and five others were injured. The shelling caused extensive damage to houses and government buildings.
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Reports from Poonch said a portion of the District Police Lines (DPL) in the centre of Poonch town caught fire due to the shelling and sustained damage. One shell landed near the back gate of Poonch district hospital, damaging vehicles, while a couple of shells exploded near the Betar bridge, though no damage was reported there.
In Rajouri, six civilians were also injured in the shelling. Many houses and shops were also damaged. Mendhar, Balakot, and Ajot were heavily hit. The Indian Army retaliated strongly, causing significant damage on the Pakistani side.
