Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar
Srinagar, Nov 13: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has strongly condemned the killing of two Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Kishtwar district, whose bullet-riddled bodies were recovered from a forest area on November 12.
Expressing grief over the incident, Sinha said in a post on X on Friday, “I am deeply grieved by the tragic loss of the brave personnel of Jammu & Kashmir Police, Babi Chand and Rashpal Kumar, who laid down their lives in line of duty at Kishtwar. I strongly condemn the cowardly attack."
He said their courage, unwavering dedication and selfless service to the nation would always be remembered. He also extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families, assuring them of solidarity and support during this hour of immense grief.
The two SPOs, identified as Bobby Chand (57) and Rashpal Kumar (45), went missing on Wednesday afternoon while travelling from their camp to relieve an Indian Army post at Dharna-Marwah.
Their bodies were recovered on Thursday morning from the Dachhan forest. The service rifles of the two slain personnel were also found missing.
The Kishtwar incident took place less than 24 hours after three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured in a terrorist attack in the Akhran area near Mir Bazar in Kulgam district.
One of the critically injured CRPF personnel was airlifted to the Army's 92 Base Hospital in the Badami Bagh Cantonment area of Srinagar. Doctors said the condition of the other two injured personnel was stable and they were out of danger.
Following the Kulgam attack, a massive manhunt was launched to track down the two terrorists suspected to be behind the assault. Joint security forces set up special nakas and barricades across Kulgam and adjoining districts to intercept the assailants.
Officials said both human and technical intelligence inputs were being used to identify and track down the terrorists involved in the attack.
With two terror-related incidents occurring within less than 24 hours, questions are being raised over official claims that terrorism has been brought to an end in Jammu and Kashmir.