Amid heightened tensions, Pakistan Army launched heavy cross-border shelling targeting civilian areas across Jammu, Poonch, and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours of Saturday. The attacks led to the deaths of at least five individuals, including a senior government official, and injured several others. Extensive damage was also reported to homes, religious places, and public infrastructure, as per PTI.

According to official sources, as per PTI, Raj Kumar Thapa, the Additional District Development Commissioner of Rajouri, was fatally injured when an artillery shell struck his government residence in Rajouri town. Two of his staff members were also seriously wounded in the same strike. Despite being rushed to the Government Medical College, Thapa succumbed to his injuries. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief on social media, noting that Thapa had participated in an online meeting with the Deputy CM just a day earlier.