Poonch: Intense shelling by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri late Friday killed a senior government official, Rajouri Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa, and two civilians.
Thapa was injured after a shell fell on his house on the night of 9 May in Rajouri, which witnessed red alert sirens, heavy shelling and blackouts. He was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, officials said.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called Thapa “a dedicated officer”.
“Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of J&K Administrative services. Just yesterday, he was accompanying the Deputy CM around the district and attended the online meeting. Today, the residence of the officer was hit by Pak shelling as they targeted Rajouri town…” he wrote.
Pakistan’s shelling also targeted civilian areas in the Poonch block of Poonch district, where the main city came under heavy fire.
Authorities said 15 people were killed in the attack, including one army personnel.
Heavy shelling was witnessed in the Poonch and Surankote blocks of Poonch district Friday.
With Poonch city caught in the crossfire between the Indian and Pakistani armies, nearly 80 percent of the population has already moved. Shutters remain down, and properties lie damaged.
The shelling has been targeting the civilian infrastructure of Poonch city.
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)