A senior government J&K Officer killed early Saturday morning after Pakistani forces shelled civilian areas in the Rajouri district, marking a sharp escalation in cross-border hostilities following India’s precision strikes on terror infrastructure under Operation Sindoor.
The deceased, Raj Kumar Thappa, was serving as the Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) in Rajouri. He died after a Pakistani artillery shell hit his residence, situated in a densely populated area of the town. His tragic death has sent shockwaves across the administrative and political leadership in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to social media to express his grief and disbelief. “Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administrative Services. Just yesterday, he was accompanying the Deputy Chief Minister around the district and participated in an online meeting I chaired. Today, his residence was hit by Pakistani shelling. I have no words to express my shock and sadness at this terrible loss. May his soul rest in peace,” Abdullah posted on X (formerly Twitter).
BJP’s J&K president Ravinder Raina also paid tribute, saying, “Mr Thappa was a brave and people-centric officer who served with honesty and fearlessness. His loss is deeply saddening.”
Civilian Areas Under Fire
The shelling of Rajouri comes amid intensified cross-border attacks by Pakistan, which began in retaliation to India’s recent aerial strikes on nine terror-linked sites in Pakistan. These strikes, part of Operation Sindoor, were carried out after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 25 civilians were killed in a targeted assault allegedly backed by Pakistan-based terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
India had emphasized that its retaliatory strikes were limited to non-military targets, specifically aimed at terror training camps, weapons stockpiles, and logistical nodes, avoiding populated areas and minimizing collateral damage. The Indian Ministry of Defence released aerial reconnaissance footage showing precision impacts and the absence of civilian damage.
However, Pakistan’s response has focused heavily on civilian zones, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. Shelling has damaged residential structures, places of worship, and public infrastructure in districts like Rajouri, Poonch, and parts of Jammu.
Widespread Damage and Panic
In Jammu city, videos surfaced showing damaged vehicles and sections of houses blown apart due to incoming shells. In some neighborhoods, residents described hearing continuous artillery fire and drone flyovers through the night.
The Indian Army has continued to respond with targeted counter-battery fire, destroying several Pakistani forward posts and silencing hostile artillery positions. According to defence sources, India has also launched localised aerial and drone operations to neutralize Pakistani positions launching the attacks.
Drone and Missile Threats Continue
In a separate update, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that over 26 locations along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) witnessed attempted drone intrusions, missile launches, or artillery shelling overnight. These include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Jammu, Pathankot, Ferozpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Bhuj, among others.
“Regrettably, an armed drone struck a civilian residence in Ferozpur, injuring several family members. The injured have been stabilized and the area secured by security forces,” the Ministry stated in an official release.
Defence officials said that many of these drones were Turkish-origin Songar and Bayraktar drones, some carrying explosive payloads. These aerial threats were met with a coordinated response using India’s multi-layered air defence systems, including the S-400 Triumph, Akash surface-to-air missiles, and indigenous anti-drone jamming platforms.
High Alert and Public Advisory
The Indian Armed Forces remain on highest operational alert, with all three services—Army, Air Force, and Navy—coordinating intelligence and defensive readiness. The Air Defence Command is actively monitoring cross-border activity, especially around sensitive infrastructure and civilian zones.
A public advisory has been issued for residents in border areas, urging them to:
- Stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel
- Follow all safety instructions from local authorities
- Remain alert to sirens and warnings from emergency systems
“While there is no need for panic, citizens must exercise heightened vigilance. The security situation remains dynamic and is being monitored round-the-clock,” the Defence Ministry added.
As diplomatic efforts are underway behind the scenes to de-escalate the situation, India has reiterated that its actions are in self-defence and that civilian targeting by Pakistan constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
