The bodies of two Special Police Officers (SPOs) who went missing while travelling for duty were recovered from a forest area in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday, November 12. Their service weapons were also missing, prompting a search operation by security forces.
The deceased were identified as Rashpal Kumar, 45, and Babi Chand, 57, residents of the Kiyar area of Dachhan. They were attached to the Special Operations Group and were travelling towards a temporary Army post in the Dharna-Marwah belt when they lost contact, according to reports citing officials.
Weapons missing, search operation launched
Officials told media outlets that the two officers had suffered fatal gunshot injuries. Their service rifles and ammunition were not found with the bodies. Security forces have launched a search operation in the difficult forested terrain to identify those responsible and recover the missing weapons.
Reports said drones, sniffer dogs and additional security personnel were deployed in the area. There was no detailed official public statement from the Jammu and Kashmir Police or Army at the time of publication, and the circumstances of the killings remain under investigation.
Incident follows attack in Kulgam
The killings came a day after a suspected militant attack on a CRPF checkpost near Mir Bazaar in Kulgam district injured three personnel, including one critically, according to media reports. Security agencies are examining the incidents as part of the wider security situation in the region.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed responsibility for the Kishtwar killings. The investigation and search operation are continuing.
Sources
Hindustan Times, November 13, 2026 | The Times of India, November 13, 2026
