J&K: Two SOG personnel missing in Kishtwar’s Dachhan-Marwah belt; the search operation is ongoing | Today’s news

Two Special Police Officers (SPOs) went missing in the remote hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Wednesday, according to officials, PTI reported.

The missing workers have been identified as Rashpal Kumar, 45, and Babi Chand, 57, both attached to the police’s Special Operations Group (SOG). They were last reported missing in the Dachhan-Marwah belt of the district, officials said.

They added that a large-scale search operation had been launched in the area to locate the two policemen.

Officials said the two SPOs started from the Kiyar camp to the army post in Dharna-Marwah but did not reach the destination. Their cell phones were initially switched on and reachable, but later became unavailable, raising concerns about their whereabouts, the report said.

Kishtwar is the main target of security forces’ efforts to flush out militants operating in its remote and forested areas. Several counter-insurgency operations have resulted in the elimination of active terrorists, significantly reducing their presence in the district.

However, the region’s challenging terrain and extensive forest areas continue to complicate security operations, officials said.

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Both security personnel and militants have lost their lives in the district in recent years.

Kulgam firing: Forensic team collects evidence after attack leaves 3 CRPF personnel injured

Meanwhile, a forensic team on Wednesday visited Jammu’s Akhran area and Kashmir’s Kulgam district to collect samples and evidence from the site of the fire in which three CRPF personnel were injured, according to ANI.

The incident occurred when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on security personnel deployed at a naka or security checkpoint. The forensics team collected the evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.

Reacting to the attack, Jammu and Kashmir Congress President Tariq Hamid Karra said the incident did not reflect a mere security lapse but a failure of the Centre. He also questioned the government’s repeated claims that the security situation in the Union territory had improved.

“It’s not just a security failure; it’s a failure on the part of the Indian government,” Karra said.

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He expressed solidarity with the injured CRPF personnel and their families, but said the proximity of the attack to an event attended by the Lt. Governor raised serious concerns.

“We stand in solidarity with the soldiers who were injured and with their families. But this raises many questions. As you noticed, the attack happened only two or three kilometers from the LG event – it proves that they can strike at will; they attack where they want,” he said.

Karra further accused the Center of giving inconsistent assessments of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir depending on the circumstances. He cited incidents in Kishtwar, Poonch and Rajouri over the past year, questioning claims of improvement in the situation.

“Furthermore, the Indian government repeatedly claims that the situation here has improved, but whenever it suits them, they shift their narrative to suggest that the situation is actually bad. Just look at last year – consider the incidents in Kishtwar or in Poonch and Rajouri. Despite these events, they continue to insist that the situation is fine,” he said.

Pointing out the security operations in these areas, Karra said, “In Kishtwar, the encounter lasted for 10-12 days; a similar situation took place in the Poonch-Rajouri region.”

According to the CRPF, the firing took place around 2:15 pm when the attackers targeted the personnel stationed at the check post. The attackers fled shortly after opening fire, officials said.

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The CRPF confirmed in a statement that three of its personnel were injured and said an operation was underway to trace those responsible.

“Firing took place at CRPF Naka in Kulgam, Kashmir. Three people were injured. Operations are on to nab the culprits and the injured personnel are being given best possible treatment,” CRPF said in a statement.