Daijiworld Media Network - Jammu

Jammu, Oct 16: A special police officer (SPO), who went missing in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district two days ago along with his service rifle, was found dead on Friday.

The deceased has been identified as Bashir Ahmed, son of Musa Dhar, a resident of Wanipora Trigam. He was posted at Pedil post.

Police said Ahmed’s service weapon was found lying beside his body. Forensic experts have reached the spot and are trying to ascertain the exact cause of his death.

Officials had earlier said that severe weather conditions had affected the area around the time Ahmed left his post. It was suspected that he might have slipped into a gorge due to the extreme weather, but the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.

Around 32,000 SPOs are currently serving in Jammu and Kashmir. They function as an auxiliary force assisting the regular Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) in maintaining law and order, gathering intelligence, guarding vital installations and conducting counter-insurgency operations.

SPOs provide frontline support in anti-militancy and security operations across the Union Territory. Their duties include night patrolling, VIP security, yatra security and routine public order maintenance. They also assist local police units in gathering ground-level intelligence about potential security threats.

In addition, SPOs are deployed to protect key government and public installations.

Under amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Police Rules, 1960, 15 per cent of direct recruitment vacancies for constables are reserved for the absorption of eligible SPOs who have completed at least three years of service. The maximum age limit for such candidates has been relaxed to 40 years.

Recognising their duties and sacrifices, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently approved a proposal for a substantial increase in the honorarium paid to SPOs in Jammu and Kashmir. The proposal has been forwarded to the Finance Ministry for final approval.