MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 28: The young deputy commissioner of district Neelum, Raja Saqib Munir, was killed by a landslide on Thursday, plunging the entire official machinery and general public into gloom.

The tragic incident occurred near Doonga Kas area, some 7 kilometres northeast of here, on the treacherous Neelum valley road, at noon. Mr Munir, 33, was on his way to the valley’s headquarters.

As the vehicle was passing through the landslide affected portion of the road, a big boulder hit the vehicle, smashing its left side and killing Mr Munir instantly.

Doctors at the hospital told Dawn that the boulder caused head and cervical bone injuries, causing his death.

Funeral prayers of Mr Munir were offered at 3 pm in the High Court ground and offered by thousands of people including AJK ministers, senior civil and military officials, judicial officers and the general public.

The General Officer Commanding 12 Division Maj-Gen Najamul Hassan specially flew into Muzaffarabad to attend the funeral.

Only last week, Mr Munir had held a detailed meeting at the 12-Div headquarters in Murree, regarding initiation of some uplift projects in Neelum valley by the army.

In a statement issued by the ISPR, the GOC paid glowing tributes to the late deputy commissioner for his services to the people of AJK. “Raja Saqib was honest and dedicated officer whose services for the welfare of the people will always be remembered,” he said.

The statement said that special duas were also offered for him in army units.

People of Neelum valley were also shocked by the incident, which had deprived them of a highly motivated and energetic officer, keen to bring the backward valley at par with other developed areas of the state.

“The incident is very upsetting for the residents of Neelum valley as Mr Munir was a highly energetic, sincere, motivated and decent young officer. We will remember his services for long,” said Professor Khawaja Abdul Rehman, a resident of Neelum valley.

After the funeral in Muzaffarabad, the body of Mr Munir was flown to his native Bandala Samahni village in Bhimber district by a helicopter, arranged by the AJK government.

Former AJK prime minister and PML-N AJK chapter president Raja Farooq Haider and Commissioner Muzaffarabad division Syed Zahoorul Hassan Gilani accompanied the coffin.

All other officers had left by road to participate in the burial on Friday.

The administration has declared a holiday in Neelum and Bhimber districts on Friday.

It may be mentioned here that Mr Munir was a nephew and son-in-law of Raja Azhar Iqbal, deputy director AJK Press Information Department. He is survived by a wife and an infant son.