Security forces have intensified their search for two missing Special Police Officers (SPOs) in the remote forested upper reaches of Dachhan in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, deploying reinforcements and specialized teams for the second consecutive day on Thursday.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Babi Chand, 57, and Rashpal Kumar, 45, both posted with the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the local police at Kiyar village in Dachhan, went missing on Wednesday. The officers were travelling from their camp to an Army post located at Dharna-Marwah when they disappeared. Their mobile phones, initially reachable, were later switched off, triggering immediate concern among security agencies and prompting the launch of an extensive search operation.
The operation has seen the deployment of additional police and Army personnel, with multiple teams meticulously fanning out across the vast forested stretches and difficult mountainous terrain. The search area has been expanded to encompass a wider radius around Kiyar and the route leading towards Dharna-Marwah. Advanced technology, including drones, is being utilized to scan inaccessible forest patches and rugged terrain, while sniffer dogs are actively assisting ground teams in tracking any possible movement. Search parties are diligently combing through dense forests, natural trails, and remote pockets in an effort to ascertain the whereabouts of the missing personnel.
Officials stated that all possible angles are being examined to understand the circumstances surrounding the disappearance. However, they cautioned against prematurely linking the incident to militant activity, emphasizing that it would be too early to draw any conclusions until all facts have emerged and been thoroughly investigated. The focus remains on a systematic search and rescue effort.
Kishtwar district has historically been a significant area for counter-insurgency operations, with security forces consistently working to dismantle remaining militant presence in its remote and forested regions. These sustained operations have led to the neutralization of several active militants, substantially diminishing their operational capacity in the district.
According to available figures, in 2023, five individuals, including four militants and one Army soldier, lost their lives in incidents related to militancy. In 2022, the toll was four, comprising three militants and one Army soldier. In 2021, three security personnel and two civilians were killed in such incidents, highlighting the security challenges faced in the region.
The Chenab Times News Desk
