Srinagar, Nov 13 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the death of two special police officers (SPOs) in Kishtwar district, where their bodies were found riddled with bullets on November 12.
L-G, Sinha said 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.”
“Their courage, unwavering dedication and selfless service to the nation will always be remembered. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of immense grief. We stand shoulder to shoulder with them in solidarity,” he added.
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 discovered on Thursday morning in the Dachhan forest. The service rifles of the two slain SPOs were also found missing.
The Kishtwar incident occurred less than 24 hours after three CRPF personnel were injured in a terrorist attack in the Akhran area near Mir Bazar in Kulgam district.
One of the critically injured CRPF troopers was airlifted to the 92 base hospital of the Army in Badami Bagh Cantonment area of Srinagar city. Attending doctors said the condition of the other two injured CRPF troopers was stable and out of danger.
A massive manhunt was started to trace the two terrorists believed to have carried out the Kulgam attack. Joint forces erected special Nakas and barricades in Kulgam and adjoining districts to trace the assailants. Officials said both human and technical evidence is being used to hunt down the involved terrorists.
After these two terrorist attacks occurred within less than 24 hours of each other, questions are being raised over official claims of terrorism having ended in Jammu and Kashmir.
–IANS
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