Two Special Police Officers go missing in Kishtwar
Security forces have launched a joint search operation in the Dachhan area to locate two missing personnel.
Two Special Police Officers (SPOs) disappeared from the higher reaches of Dachhan in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Wednesday, according to Deccan Herald. The missing personnel have been identified as Babi Chand and Rashpal Kumar, who were posted with the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the local police at Kiyar village.
The two officers were in transit from the Kiyar camp to an Army post at Dharna-Marwah when they could not be located. While their mobile phones were initially reachable, they were later switched off, prompting concerns regarding their safety.
A joint search operation has been initiated by the police and the Army's Rashtriya Rifles. Security teams are currently deployed across difficult mountainous forest terrain to find the officers and determine the circumstances of their disappearance.
Officials stated it is too early to connect the disappearance to any militant activity until more facts are established. The district has faced operational challenges due to its vast forested stretches and difficult terrain.
The incident occurs in a district that has seen various terror-related casualties in recent years. On October 4, Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma had requested residents in the Marwah, Warwan, and Dachhan areas to assist security forces by sharing information regarding suspected militant movements.