Two Special Police Officers (SPOs) who went missing while on patrol in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district have been found dead. Their bodies were recovered today after a search operation by security forces in the remote Dachhan-Marwah region.
The officers were identified as Rishipal Kumar and Bobby Chand. They had gone missing on Wednesday afternoon (November 11) after gunshots were allegedly heard in the forest area between Kiyar and Derana. Their disappearance triggered a joint search operation by Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and CRPF.
Missing SPOs Identified as Rishipal Kumar and Bobby Chand
The two deceased belonged to Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and posted in Kiyar village area of Dachhan.
Initial reports said that the officers were heading towards a temporary operational base of Army’s 17 Rashtriya Rifles in Basnan area of Inderwal. They were said to be on their way to relieve personnel deployed at the place when they went missing.
Their disappearance caused concern among security agencies after reports had come in that gunshots had been heard in the surrounding forest area.
Bodies Recovered During Search Operation
The bodies of the two SPOs were found on Thursday during a search operation in Dherna.
Officials said both officers had been hit by bullets. One had a gunshot wound to the head and the other an injury to his back, reports said.
Their service weapons were also reported missing from the scene and this raises more questions about how they died.
Security personnel had been searching the difficult mountain country and dense forest stretches ever since the officers went missing.
Gunshots Heard Before Officers Disappeared
According to initial reports locals heard gunshots around 3.30 pm on Wednesday in forest area between Kiyar and Derana.
The firing was reported shortly before the two SPOs went missing. There were also reports of mobile network disruption in Marwah region around this time.
Their mobile phones were reachable at first but then switched off so concerns grew about their safety.
However, the exact sequence of events leading to their disappearance and deaths has not been fully established yet.
Security Forces Intensify Search in Kishtwar
After his disappearance security forces conducted a coordinated search of the surrounding forest areas.
Teams from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and CRPF were deployed to find the missing personnel. Drones and sniffer dogs were reportedly used by specialised teams in difficult terrain to assist search teams.
The bodies’ recovery has created new security worries in the mountainous Kishtwar region where counter-terrorism operations have been carried out in recent years.
Investigation Into the Deaths Continues
The circumstances of the deaths of the two SPOs are still being investigated. The missing service weapons and reports of gunfire have become important parts of the case.
In the media reports militants are mentioned but no one knows who is behind it.
More details are awaited from the authorities as investigation continues. The incident has once again brought to fore security challenges faced by personnel deployed in remote and forested areas of Jammu & Kashmir.
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