Parties Demand Probe Into Deaths of Two Special Police Officers in Kishtwar

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have demanded a full investigation into the deaths of two Special Police Officers whose bodies were found with bullet wounds in the upper reaches of Kishtwar. The two men, Babi Chand and Rashpal Kumar, had gone missing while crossing the Dachhan-Warwan axis with their phones switched off, before being found dead.

Reactions and Demands

J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra stated that the killings should be probed from multiple angles, claiming reports suggest the two men went hunting in the Dachhan area, crossed Army pickets into Marwan, and were possibly mistaken for militants by the Army because they wore civilian clothes. J&K Minister Javed Rana of the National Conference also questioned how such killings happen despite claims of an improved security situation, asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to respond. Meanwhile, BJP leader Sunil Sharma criticized local police strategy and the delayed response to the site, while BJP legislator Shagun Parihar alleged that the bodies were dishonoured by being transported in a dumper truck and called for an inquiry into the officers involved. A family member of the slain officers, Pawan Kumar, appealed to the Lieutenant Governor for a CBI inquiry rather than a police investigation.

Context

Special Police Officers in Jammu and Kashmir often assist security forces in counter-terrorism operations and local security duties in difficult terrain. The Kishtwar region has historically seen militant activity in its upper forest areas, prompting ongoing security operations by the authorities to track down armed groups and recover missing weapons.