Two Special Police Officers who went missing during patrol in J&K’s Kishtwar found dead

Reports said locals heard gunshots in the area between Kiyar and Derana on Wednesday afternoon, shortly before the two SPOs went missing. Two Special Police Officers (SPOs), who went missing along with their weapons while on patrol in Kishtwar on Wednesday afternoon, were found dead on Thursday, people familiar with the matter said.Security personnel and locals outside the residence of Special Police Officer (SPO) Bashir Ahmed, who allegedly went missing along with his service rifle from Police Picket Trigham, in Kishtwar district. (PTI)They identified the deceased Rashpal Kumar, 40, and Babbi Chand, 54, both residents of Dachan. Official confirmation is awaited.Reports said locals heard gunshots in the area between Kiyar and Derana on Wednesday afternoon, shortly before the two SPOs went missing.Deep Dive“The duo was reportedly part of a patrol. They were on their way to makeshift base of 17 RR in Basnan area of Inderwal. It is a remote area and mobile connectivity is poor,” said a police officer on condition of anonymity.Following their disappearance, a massive joint search operation was launched by the police, CRPF and army to trace them. Security teams were deployed in the surrounding areas to establish their whereabouts and ascertain the circumstances surrounding their disappearance, officials said.Both the SPOs were deployed with the 17 RR for patrolling the area. The upper reaches of Dachhan and Marwah in the Kishtwar region had served as safe havens for Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists during the peak of militancy in the Doda region.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More