Understanding the Incident, Its Impact, and Official Responses in Jammu
On May 10, 2025, Rajouri faced a devastating loss with the death of Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa due to Pakistani shelling. In the early hours of May 10, 2025, at around 5:30 AM IST, an artillery shell from Pakistan struck the residence of Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa, the Additional District Development Commissioner of Rajouri, in Jammu and Kashmir. The shell hit his home in Rajouri town, causing critical injuries to Thapa and two of his staff members. They were rushed to the Government Medical College, but Thapa succumbed to his injuries. His staff members remain in critical condition.
This attack was part of a larger wave of Pakistani shelling targeting civilian areas in Rajouri, Poonch, and Jammu districts, resulting in at least five deaths, including a two-year-old child.
How Did the Shelling Incident Unfold?
The shelling began early on May 10, following Pakistan’s retaliation to India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan on May 7. Thapa had stepped out of his house after hearing multiple explosions and returned inside when the shell struck his room. The attack on Rajouri town was one of several incidents that morning, with loud explosions reported across the region. The shelling caused significant damage to civilian areas, including homes and properties, and triggered widespread panic. This escalation is linked to Pakistan’s response to India’s earlier strikes, which were launched after a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people.
What Is the Wider Context of This Conflict?
The incident is part of an intensifying conflict between India and Pakistan, marked by cross-border attacks. Pakistan’s shelling targeted civilian and religious sites, including the Aap Shambhu Temple in Roop Nagar, Jammu, on the same day. India has condemned these actions as a “new low,” accusing Pakistan of targeting civilian infrastructure to create fear. The conflict has led to economic strain in Pakistan, with its stock market crashing, and the nation seeking international help to de-escalate. The international community, including the U.S. and UN, has urged restraint, but both nations remain on high alert, with ongoing firing along the Line of Control.
How Did Omar Abdullah Respond to the Tragedy?
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief over Thapa’s death, calling it a “terrible loss” for the state’s administrative services.
Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thappa dies in Pakistani shelling in Rajouri, tweets J&K CM Omar Abdullah pic.twitter.com/jgH7PyFvMj
— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2025
Abdullah noted that Thapa had attended an online meeting with him and accompanied the Deputy CM on a district tour just the day before. On May 10, Abdullah visited Thapa’s family to offer his condolences, stating that Thapa’s “service and sacrifice will never be forgotten” and affirming the government’s support for the family. Other leaders, including PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, also extended their condolences.
