J&K LG pays tribute to two SPOs killed in Kishtwar attack
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the cowardly attack that claimed the lives of Babi Chand and Rashpal Kumar.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday paid tribute to two Special Police Officers (SPOs) killed during a terror attack in the Dachhan area of Kishtwar district, according to The Tribune. The deceased have been identified as 57-year-old Babi Chand and 45-year-old Rashpal Kumar.
The officers, who were part of the Special Operations Group (SOG) at Kiyar village, went missing on Wednesday while travelling to an Army post for patrolling duty. Their bodies were found early Thursday at an altitude of 8,858 feet between Deharna and Kiyar villages. Officials stated that a preliminary investigation has ruled out the possibility that the men were abducted before they were killed.
Terrorists are believed to have taken the officers' service weapons, which included an INSAS rifle and a.303 rifle, along with ammunition. Authorities recovered empty cartridges of Pakistani-origin armour-piercing steel-core ammunition at the site. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the incident, describing it as a cowardly act of violence.
Sinha expressed his grief on X, stating that the brave personnel laid down their lives in the line of duty. He noted that their dedication to the nation would be remembered and offered condolences to their families. Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat visited the Kishtwar district headquarters on Thursday evening to review the situation.
Security forces have been conducting a search operation for three days to locate and neutralise the attackers. Inspector General of Police for the Jammu range, Tejinder Singh, is expected to visit the area later today.