Rajouri Officer Killed in Pakistani Shelling, Srinagar Rocked by Explosions

Rajouri Officer Killed in Pakistani Shelling, Srinagar Rocked by Explosions

The India-Pakistan conflict intensified with the tragic death of Rajouri’s Additional District Development Commissioner, Raj Kumar Thapa, in Pakistani shelling, while Srinagar reverberated with continuous explosions. The escalating violence, sparked by Operation Sindoor’s missile strikes, has heightened tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), claiming civilian and administrative lives.

Tragic Loss in Rajouri

Raj Kumar Thapa, a dedicated officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services, was killed when a Pakistani artillery shell struck his residence in Rajouri’s DC colony around 5:30 AM. Two staff members were critically injured in the attack, which targeted civilian areas. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, expressing profound grief on X, noted Thapa’s active role in district duties just a day prior. The shelling, part of Pakistan’s retaliation for India’s strikes on its airbases, damaged 11 homes in Rajouri’s Karia village, forcing residents to flee to bunkers.

Srinagar Under Siege
Srinagar faced a barrage of explosions, with loud blasts reported near the airport, Avantipora, and other areas, starting around 4:30 AM. Pakistan’s drone and missile attacks, targeting 26 Indian locations, were neutralized by India’s S-400 and Dronam systems, but the city remains on edge. Blackouts were enforced, and air raid sirens echoed, as shared on X, reflecting the panic among residents. The Indian Army’s counterstrikes in Uri and Gurez sectors destroyed Pakistani posts, but the continuous shelling has disrupted normalcy, with Srinagar airport closed for civilian flights until May 15.

Robust Indian Response
India’s armed forces have maintained a high state of alert, thwarting Pakistan’s aerial assaults with advanced air defenses. The Army’s proportionate retaliation, including missile strikes on Pakistani airbases like Noor Khan, has crippled Pakistan’s offensive capabilities. Over 8,000 residents have been evacuated from Rajouri and Poonch, with relief camps operational under CM Abdullah’s oversight.

National and Global Reactions
The loss of Thapa has galvanized national resolve, with tributes pouring in on X. Globally, the US and UN urge de-escalation, but Pakistan’s targeting of civilian areas, including a Gurudwara in Poonch, has drawn condemnation. India’s fortified stance ensures security amid this volatile crisis.