Senior J&K Official, Two Civilians Killed in Rajouri Amid Heavy Pakistani Shelling

In a tragic escalation along the Line of Control, a senior Jammu and Kashmir official and two civilians were killed early Saturday as Pakistani artillery fire targeted Rajouri town, while India continued retaliatory operations following a night of air attacks.

Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Rajouri, Raj Kumar Thapa (55), succumbed to critical injuries after a Pakistani shell struck his residence in the early hours. Thapa, a 1989 MBBS graduate from Jammu Government Medical College, had actively participated in district coordination efforts just a day earlier.

Expressing his shock and condolences on X (formerly Twitter), Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the incident was a devastating loss for the administration. “Just yesterday, he was accompanying the Deputy CM around the district and attended an online meeting I chaired. Today, his home was hit by Pakistani shelling, claiming his life. I have no words to express my shock and sadness,” Abdullah posted, urging people to stay indoors and avoid spreading unverified information.

The attack marked a grim turn in tensions between India and Pakistan, coming hours after Pakistani drones swarmed Indian military positions for a second consecutive night across northern and western sectors.

Meanwhile, Indian forces continued to engage Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighters, following missile attacks on Srinagar. Senior officials suggested that PAF had sustained losses during the aerial confrontation.

The Union Government is scheduled to hold a detailed security briefing at 10 AM on the ongoing situation, Pakistan’s offensive, and India’s countermeasures.

The region remains on high alert, with both civilian and military authorities coordinating extensive safety measures across the affected border districts.