Condemning the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his condolences.
Published May 10, 2025 | 2:11 PM ⚊ Updated May 10, 2025 | 2:11 PM
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah meets officer Raj Kumar Thapa's family. (CM_J&K/ X)
Synopsis: Jammu and Kashmir’s Additional District Development Commissioner, Raj Kumar Thapa, was killed in Pakistani shelling on 10 May in Rajouri. His residence was directly hit, also claiming two civilian lives. Leaders, including Omar Abdullah and the Lt. Governor, condemned the attack and expressed condolences. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors and reviewed the security situation in border districts.
Jammu and Kashmir officer, Additional District Development Commissioner of Rajouri district, Raj Kumar Thapa was killed on the intervening night of Friday, and Saturday, 9, and 10 May, in the Pakistan shelling.
According to reports, the artillery shell had targeted his residence in Rajouri.
Condemning the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his condolences.
Taking to X, he wrote: “Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administration Services. Just yesterday he was accompanying the Deputy CM around the district & attended the online meeting I chaired.”
“Today the residence of the officer was hit by Pak shelling as they targeted Rajouri town killing our Additional District Development Commissioner Sh Raj Kumar Thappa. I’ve no words to express my shock & sadness at this terrible loss of life. May his soul rest in peace.”
Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administration Services. Just yesterday he was accompanying the Deputy CM around the district & attended the online meeting I chaired. Today the residence of the officer was hit by Pak shelling as they…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 10, 2025
On Saturday, the chief minister also met the slain officer’s family and said that his service and sacrifice will never be forgotten, and that government stands firmly with his family.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir also took to X, to express his condolences on the death of the officer. “Anguished by loss of lives due to unprovoked shelling by Pakistan. We have lost brave citizens including our ADDC Rajouri, Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa in the line of duty. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” he wrote.
He further noted that, he has reviewed security situation in the border districts.
Reviewed security situation in the border districts. Anguished by loss of lives due to unprovoked shelling by Pakistan. We have lost brave citizens including our ADDC Rajouri, Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa in the line of duty. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) May 10, 2025
In a joint media briefing held on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, also condemned the killing of the officer aling with other Indian civilian casualties.
On Friday, the chief minister took to X, to urge the citizens of Jammu to stay indoors and safe. “It’s my earnest appeal to everyone in & around Jammu please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours. Ignore rumours, don’t spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories & we will get through this together.”
It’s my earnest appeal to everyone in & around Jammu please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours. Ignore rumours, don’t spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories & we will get through this together.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 9, 2025
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
