Latest news with #JKAS
India Gazette
11-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Mortal remains of Rifleman Sunil Kumar brought to his residence in Jammu
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir), May 11 (ANI): The mortal remains of Rifleman Sunil Kumar, who lost his life during shelling by Pakistan in the RS Pura sector, were brought to his residence in Trewa village of Jammu district on Sunday. Earlier on Sunday, JKAS official Raj Kumar Thapa who died after a Pakistani shell hit his residence due to cross-border shelling in Rajouri earlier this week. Jammu & Kashmir Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary, Assembly LoP Sunil Sharma, and others paid their last respect to Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa. Visuals show that the tribute ceremony, held in Jammu, was attended by several administrative and political leaders, along with security personnel. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Thapa's family and expressed his condolences. J&K Chief Minister's Office posted on X and said, 'Paid my heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa, JKAS, ADDC Rajouri, who lost his life in the line of duty today due to shelling by Pakistan. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The Government stands firmly with his family in this hour of grief.' People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti also expressed her deep sorrow over Thapa's demise. She extended her condolences to Thapa's bereaved family, praying for his soul to rest in peace. Civilian areas in Jammu's Rajouri district suffered damage due to shelling by Pakistan. A series of explosions damaged several houses and properties across the region, triggering panic among residents. According to locals, smoke rose after loud explosions were reported in Rajouri. Earlier, after the demise of Border Security Force (BSF) Sub-Inspector Mohammad Imtiaz, who lost his life during cross-border firing by Pakistan (along the International Border in the RS Pura area of Jammu), the BSF informed that a wreath-laying ceremony with full honours will be held to pay tribute to, on May 11 at Frontier Headquarters Jammu, Paloura. DG BSF and all ranks on Sunday paid tribute to Sub-Inspector Imtiaz. (ANI)
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Feel like I'm alive again': Pakistani shelling hit Poonch the hardest, ceasefire a chance for town to catch its breath
For retired forest official Khalil Ahmad Bandey, 70, the ceasefire between India and Pakistan brings much-needed relief. The Poonch resident has two sons — one is an advocate practising in the High Court at Jammu, and the other is a bank employee posted in Subderbani. And, earlier this week, as Pakistani shelling escalated in Poonch, Bandey sent his married daughter and her minor children to her matrimonial house in Rajouri. He said he understands better than most the trauma of elderly parents whose entire family is away in a time of crisis. 'You can't imagine; we people had vowed so many niyaz (an offering of food or other gifts to fulfil a vow) to have a ceasefire between the two countries,' he said. 'Today, I feel I am alive again.' Narinder Singh, 63, who, too, sent his children and grandchildren to Jammu from Poonch, similarly hopes life returns to normal soon. The escalation between India and Pakistan let loose havoc in Poonch town, where 12 people died and more than 40 were injured. Between Friday and Saturday, five civilians, including a senior Jammu Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) officer, were killed and nearly a dozen people injured as Pakistani troops targeted multiple locations in Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba and Udhampur districts at frequent intervals between Friday night and Saturday morning The border town of Rajouri and its outskirts were the worst hit by the overnight assault from artillery shells, drones and loitering munitions. Here, the dead include Bihar resident Mohammad Shohib, 35, and his two-year-old daughter Aisha Noor, official sources said. They died when a shell fell near their place of stay in Industrial Estate, Rajouri. At least six civilians were also injured in Rajouri, a town where the civilian population was not hit even during the wars of 1971 or 1999, recalled Vinod Kumar, a resident. In Pakistan's line of fire, locals in large numbers, especially those living near defence installations, moved to safer places. One of the families leaving their home told The Indian Express that all those living within 300 metres of defence installations have been unofficially asked to move. People also sustained injuries while taking cover in a nullah when the sirens rang, and while having morning team inside their home In Poonch district's Mendhar's area, 55-year-old Rashida Bi was killed in shelling, while Zakir Hussain lost his life at Kheri village on the outskirts of Jammu city. The latter, along with his family, was moving to a safer location when cross-border drones and loitering munitions targeted multiple places in and around Jammu city around 6 am. Two members of his family were injured. While almost all of Pakistan's attacks were foiled by the Indian Defence Systems, a few cross-border projectiles hit some locations, particularly in Tehari and Roopnagar areas, partially damaging some residential houses and parked vehicles, officials said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited both places and interacted with people there. In Rehari Colony, when he was taking stock of the situation, two projectiles flew overhead, prompting his security to take him away. 'Visited Rehari and Roopnagar in Jammu today to see the damage caused by recent shelling. The pain and disruption faced by the residents is deeply concerning. We stand with every affected family and will ensure all necessary support in provided without delay,' he said in a post on X. Later, he left Jammu for Srinagar, where, too, Pakistan is attempted to target multiple locations. Explosions were also heard in Udhampur town as well as Natha Top, situated near a tourist resort. Reports of Pakistani shells falling in hilly areas of Kathua district also came in, but there were no injuries or damage to property. In Doda, the district administration sounded the red alert and asked people to stay indoors after 11 am. In the early hours of Saturday, the Border Security Force decimated a terrorist launch pad in Pakistan's Sialkot district opposite Akhnoor sector, even as Pakistan continued targeting the civilian population in Jammu province with artillery shelling and loitering munitions. 'On May 9, from about 2100 hrs, Pakistan initiated unprovoked firing on BSF posts in the Jammu Sector. BSF responded in a commensurate manner, causing widespread damage to the posts and assets of the Pakistan Rangers along the International Boundary,' an official statement here. 'The terrorist launchpad at Looni, district Sialkot, opposite Akhnoor area, was completely destroyed by the BSF,' it said, reiterating BSF's 'resolve to protect India's sovereignty is unshaken'.
New Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
J&K mourns loss of people-friendly officer in Pak shelling in Rajouri
JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer Raj Kumar Thapa, who lost his life in Pakistani shelling early Saturday, was known for his unwavering professional devotion and people-friendly approach, leaving many in the union territory mourning. Thapa, 54, was widely respected for his unwavering professional devotion and approachable nature, a quality that deeply resonated with the people he served. An MBBS graduate, he joined JKAS in 2001. Thapa lost his life when a Pakistani artillery shell struck his residential quarters in the bordering district of Rajouri. He is survived by his wife, a doctor, and their two children. The officer was posted as the Additional District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, in March last year and played a key role in handling the situation at Badhaal village where 17 members of three families, including 13 children, died under mysterious circumstances after falling sick between December 7 and January 19. Before his tenure in Rajouri, Thapa served as an officer on special duty (OSD) to former deputy chief minister Tara Chand from 2009 to 2014, besides holding significant roles, including mission director of the J-K Skill Development Mission and special secretary in the Labour and Employment Department. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the bereaved family at Roopnagar and was seen hugging his father, Durga Dass, to condole his son's death. "Paid my heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr Raj Kumar Thapa, JKAS, ADDC Rajouri, who lost his life in the line of duty today due to shelling by Pakistan. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The government stands firmly with his family in this hour of grief," Abdullah said in a post on X.
NDTV
10-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Who Was Raj Kumar Thapa, J&K Official Killed After Pak Shell Hit His House
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer Raj Kumar Thapa, who lost his life in Pakistani shelling early Saturday, was known for his unwavering professional devotion and people-friendly approach, leaving many in the union territory mourning. Mr Thapa, 54, was widely respected for his unwavering professional devotion and approachable nature, a quality that deeply resonated with the people he served. An MBBS graduate, he joined JKAS in 2001. Mr Thapa lost his life when a Pakistani artillery shell struck his residential quarters in the bordering district of Rajouri. He is survived by his wife, a doctor, and their two children. The officer was posted as the Additional District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, in March last year and played a key role in handling the situation at Badhaal village where 17 members of three families, including 13 children, died under mysterious circumstances after falling sick between December 7 and January 19. Before his tenure in Rajouri, Mr Thapa served as an officer on special duty (OSD) to former deputy chief minister Tara Chand from 2009 to 2014, besides holding significant roles, including mission director of the J-K Skill Development Mission and special secretary in the Labour and Employment Department. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the bereaved family at Roopnagar and was seen hugging his father, Durga Dass, to condole his son's death. "Paid my heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr Raj Kumar Mr Thapa, JKAS, ADDC Rajouri, who lost his life in the line of duty today due to shelling by Pakistan. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The government stands firmly with his family in this hour of grief," Mr Abdullah said in a post on X. Earlier, the chief minister broke the news about the death of the officer and said, "Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J-K Administration Services. Just yesterday he was accompanying the Deputy CM (Surinder Choudhary) around the district and attended the online meeting I chaired." "Today the residence of the officer was hit by Pak shelling as they targeted Rajouri town, killing our Additional District Development Commissioner Sh Raj Kumar Thapa. I've no words to express my shock and sadness at this terrible loss of life. May his soul rest in peace," Mr Abdullah said in an emotional post. Tributes also poured in from various leaders, including Tara Chand, who hailed Mr Thapa as a "people's officer". "He was a highly-dedicated and competent officer, whose behaviour with the general public was matchless. He was working like a social worker, always ready to help the needy," the former deputy chief minister told PTI before leaving for Mr Thapa's house to express his condolences to the family. Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma praised Mr Thapa's exemplary dedication during the Badhaal incident, declaring him "a true hero in service". Other prominent figures, including Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone and CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami, too, extended their condolences to Mr Thapa's family. Jawaid Iqbal, Vice-Chancellor of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, praised on Mr Thapa's dedication and selfless service, saying, "His sacrifice will always be remembered with the highest regard and deepest respect." "An insightful mind, a gifted writer, and a remarkable administrator," Jehanzeb Allaqaband, social media user, said, terming the loss as "heartbreaking".
