Rajouri ADC Raj Kumar Thapa killed, 2 staff critically injured in Pakistan shelling

NEW DELHI: A senior government officer was killed and two of his staff members were critically injured in Pakistani shelling in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir early Saturday, according to news agency PTI.

According to officials, Additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Rajouri, Raj Kumar Thapa, sustained serious injuries after an artillery shell struck his residence in Rajouri town. Two of his staff members were also severely injured in the incident.

All three were rushed to Government Medical College, where Thapa succumbed to his injuries. The condition of the other two remains critical, officials said.

'I have no words to express my shock'

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over Thapa’s death.

"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," the chief minister said in a post on X.