Senior J&K Officer Killed in Pak Shelling on Rajouri

 

Pakistan’s Provocative Shelling Kills Senior J&K Official: Rajouri Under Direct Fire as India Faces Escalated Hostilities

 

 In a grave escalation along the Line of Control, Pakistan’s unprovoked and targeted shelling claimed the life of Rajouri’s Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC), Raj Kumar Thappa, early Saturday morning. The incident, widely condemned across Indian defence and civil circles, underscores Pakistan's continued use of indirect warfare tactics aimed at destabilising peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to high-ranking local sources and first-hand accounts from administrative officials, the shell struck Thappa’s residence at approximately 5:30 AM. Thappa had momentarily stepped outside to assess the situation after hearing repeated explosions. Upon re-entering his home, a shell landed directly in his room—killing him instantly.

Rajouri, a critical frontier district, is now reportedly under a coordinated and sustained attack, with explosions rocking multiple locations across the region since dawn. The Indian Army has been placed on high alert, and retaliatory measures are being reviewed at the highest operational levels.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, visibly shaken, confirmed that Thappa had been active in state functions until late Friday. “Just yesterday, he was accompanying the Deputy Chief Minister across the district. He also joined an online review I chaired. Today, we lost a committed officer to Pakistan’s brutality,” Abdullah stated in a message on X (formerly Twitter).

This morning’s shelling coincides with baseless accusations made by Pakistan Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, who claimed that Indian forces targeted three Pakistani military bases—allegations he failed to substantiate with any credible evidence. Military analysts believe the Pakistani statement was a pretext to justify their aggression along the LoC.

Indian defence officials, speaking off the record, described the attack as “a deliberate provocation aimed at derailing administrative stability in Jammu and Kashmir.” The targeting of a civilian administrative officer, they noted, marks a dangerous shift in Pakistan's hybrid warfare playbook.

Local residents reported intense mortar and artillery fire in the early hours, particularly near civilian areas. Evacuation protocols have been activated, with shelter arrangements being made under the supervision of Army coordination units.

The martyrdom of ADDC Thappa, who was known for his service-oriented leadership in border development, is being viewed as an attack not just on a government official, but on India’s efforts to foster peace and progress in sensitive border regions.

This incident is expected to draw a sharp response from New Delhi, where top defence and intelligence officials are monitoring the situation closely.