Jammu: 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.
“Deeply pained by the loss of innocent lives due to recent shelling from Pakistan. My Government is taking every possible measure to minimise the hardship of our people,” the chief minister said in a post on X.
The post, shared by the office of the chief minister, said while no compensation can ever replace a loved one or heal the trauma caused to the family, as a gesture of support and solidarity, ex-gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh will be provided to families of all who have deceased.
“We stand with every affected family in this hour of grief,” the chief minister said.
Omar Abdullah also visited the bereaved family of JKAS officer (ADDC Rajouri) Raj Kumar Thapa, who lost his life in Pakistani shelling early Saturday, 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.
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,” Abdullah said in an emotional post.
The Chief Minister also visited two residential localities hit by explosions triggered by suspected Pakistani drones or shells, causing damages to a house and several parked vehicles, officials said.
Abdullah visited the explosion sites in Rehari and Roop Nagar and interacted with the affected families, they said.
Four persons — Neeraj Gupta, his daughter Hitakshi Gupta, Vineet and Rajinder Kumar — were injured in Rehari, the officials said.
“Visited Rehari and Roopnagar in Jammu today to see the damage caused by the 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 is provided without delay,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
People across Jammu on Saturday woke up to blast-like sounds as sirens rang out in the city amid a fresh wave of suspected drone attacks and intense artillery and mortar shelling by Pakistan.
Deafening sounds of explosions started rattling Jammu around 5 am, with officials confirming a fresh wave of drone attacks from across the border, triggering panic among the people.
A residential building was damaged in the Roop Nagar area of the city, the officials said, adding that at least three persons, including a woman and a girl, were injured in the Bantalab area of the city.
IMF ‘reimbursing’ Pak for ordnance it is using to devastate border areas: Omar
Srinagar, May 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday hit out at the IMF for granting a billion dollar loan to Pakistan, saying the global financial organisation was “essentially reimbursing” Islamabad for the ammunition used to devastate border areas of the Union territory.
The International Monetary Fund on Friday approved the disbursement of around USD 1 billion to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
“I’m not sure how the ‘International Community’ thinks the current tension in the subcontinent will be de-escalated when the IMF essentially reimburses Pakistan for all the ordnance it is using to devastate Poonch, Rajouri, Uri, Tangdhar & so many other places,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
India abstained from the vote at the IMF, pointing out that rewarding continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism sends a dangerous message to the global community, exposes funding agencies and donors to reputational risks, and makes a mockery of global values.
