Two Special Police Officers go missing in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar

Two Special Police Officers went missing from the higher reaches of Dachhan in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Wednesday, November 12, 2026. Security forces launched a massive joint search operation to trace them. The missing personnel were identified as Babi Chand and Rashpal Kumar, both posted with the Special Operations Group of the local police at Kiyar village in Dachhan. The duo was travelling from the Kiyar camp to an Army post at Dharna-Marwah when they failed to reach their destination. Their mobile phones were initially reachable but were later switched off. According to reports from the Hindustan Times, the two officers were on a patrol along with their weapons, and locals heard some gunshots in the area between Kiyar and Derana on Wednesday afternoon.

Search Operations

A joint search operation was launched by the police, the Army's Rashtriya Rifles, and the Central Reserve Police Force to locate the missing personnel. Security teams were deployed in the surrounding difficult and mountainous forest terrain. Officials stated it would be premature to link the incident to any militant activity until the facts emerge, though people familiar with the development could not rule out a brief exchange of fire between the SPOs and terrorists.

Context

Kishtwar has a history of security challenges due to its remote and heavily forested terrain, which has witnessed multiple counter-insurgency operations over the years. The district administration and security agencies have consistently urged local communities in regions like Marwah, Warwan, and Dachhan to share timely information to counter militant presence and support regional development.