J&K mourns loss of people-friendly officer in Pak shelling

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during a condolence meeting with the family members of Raj Kumar Thapa, Additional District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, J&K.

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.

Tributes in

Tributes also poured in from various leaders, including Tara Chand, who hailed 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 Thapa's house to express his condolences to the family.

Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma praised 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 Thapa's family.

Jawaid Iqbal, Vice-Chancellor of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, praised on 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".

Ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for kin of Pak shelling victims

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in Pakistani shelling in the Union Territory.

An additional district development commissioner and 19 villagers were killed in Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu and Baramulla sectors in the past four days after Indian armed forces struck nine terrorist infrastructure targets across the border on May 7 in retaliation to last month's Pahalgam terror attack.

While 12 civilians were killed in Poonch on Wednesday, two others were killed in Uri and Poonch on Friday. Another five civilians, including a senior government officer, lost their lives in Pakistani shelling Saturday morning.