Rajouri’s ADDC Raj Kumar Thappa Killed in Cross-Border Shelling Amid Rising Tensions
Rajouri, J&K — Raj Kumar Thappa, the Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) of Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, was tragically killed early Saturday morning when a shell fired from across the border struck his residence. The deadly attack comes amid a surge in cross-border hostilities, further heightening tensions in the region.
According to reports, the shell hit Thappa’s home around 5:30 am, shortly after he had returned indoors following a series of nearby explosions. The blast caused severe damage to his room, resulting in fatal injuries.
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
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief over the loss, noting Thappa’s recent involvement in key administrative responsibilities. “Just yesterday, he was with the Deputy CM during a visit to Rajouri and later joined an online meeting I chaired,” Abdullah wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Today, we have lost a dedicated officer whose home was struck during the shelling. I’m shocked and heartbroken. May his soul rest in peace.”
The attack occurred amid a broader military escalation between India and Pakistan. Heavy explosions were reported across multiple areas in Jammu and Kashmir — including Srinagar, Jammu, Rajouri, and Udhampur — shaking residents awake in the early hours. Intense shelling was also reported from Akhnoor, Uri, Gurez, Hamirpur, and Pallanwala. Meanwhile, Pakistani military officials claimed Indian forces had struck three of their airbases, though no evidence has been provided to confirm the claims.
Thappa’s death highlights the increasing human toll of the ongoing military standoff between the two nuclear-armed nations, as both civilians and government officials find themselves dangerously exposed to the escalating conflict.
