Kishtwar, J & K : The bodies of two Special Police Officers (SPOs), who had gone missing while on duty in the Dachhan Marwah area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, were recovered on Wednesday morning, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Rashpal Kumar (40) and Babi Chand (54). Their bodies were recovered from the Dherna Top area by a search party launched after they failed to report back from their assigned duty.
According to preliminary reports, the two SPOs were on patrol duty alongside Army personnel and were reportedly heading towards Dherna Post to relieve two colleagues when they went missing.
Initial information suggests that the personnel may have been ambushed by terrorists. Bullet injuries were reportedly found on their bodies, with one sustaining a gunshot wound to the head and the other to the back.
The service weapons they were carrying an INSAS rifle and a .303 rifle were also reportedly missing, raising suspicion that the attackers took them away after the incident.
Sources said gunshots were heard in the area during the day. Their mobile phones were initially reachable but later became switched off, prompting concern among security personnel and leading to a search operation.
Following the recovery of the bodies, a joint operation by police and security forces has been intensified in the area to trace those responsible and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Kishtwar’s remote and forested areas have remained a focus of counter terrorism operations, with security forces continuing efforts to track down militant elements operating in the district.
The incident comes weeks after another SPO, Bashir Ahmed (55), was found dead near his residence in Wanipora Trigam area of Kishtwar on October 16. He had gone missing while returning home from duty. Police subsequently established that he had allegedly been murdered by relatives over a land dispute.
Report By : Aadil Abdullah
