Pak shelling kills senior official in Rajouri, two others critically injured

Srinagar: A senior government official was killed and two of his staff members were critically injured in shelling by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district during the early hours of Saturday, officials said.

According to authorities, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rajouri, Raj Kumar Thapa, sustained fatal injuries when a shell landed on his residence in Rajouri town. Two of his staff members who were with him at the time were also seriously injured.

All three were rushed to the Government Medical College for treatment. Thapa, however, succumbed to his injuries while the condition of his staff remains critical.

“Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administrative Services. Just yesterday, he was accompanying the Deputy CM and attended an online meeting I chaired,” a senior official said in a statement.

“Today, his residence was hit by Pakistani shelling, taking his life. I have no words to express my shock and sadness at this terrible loss. May his soul rest in peace.”