Massive manhunt underway, over 300 OGWs questioned; NIA joins Kulgam probe; Rs 30 lakh reward announced for information on 3 wanted terrorists in Kishtwar
Jammu Tawi/Srinagar, Nov 13: Security forces have intensified counter-terrorism operations across Jammu and Kashmir following two major incidents in which three CRPF personnel were injured in a terrorist attack in Kulgam district and two Special Police Officers (SPOs) were found shot dead in the mountainous Kishtwar district.
While a massive manhunt continued for the third consecutive day to track down the terrorists responsible for the Kulgam attack, Jammu and Kashmir Police have questioned more than 300 suspected Over Ground Workers (OGWs), with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) also joining the investigation.
Security has been substantially strengthened across Kashmir, particularly along the strategic Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), with additional checkpoints, intensified vehicle searches, increased surveillance and deployment of security personnel at vulnerable locations.
According to senior police officials, more than 300 OGWs have been questioned in connection with Wednesday’s terrorist attack on a CRPF checkpoint at Akhran near Mir Bazar in Kulgam, which left three personnel injured.
Officials clarified that questioning was part of the investigation and several individuals had subsequently been released.
An NIA team visited the attack site and collected forensic evidence, while investigators are examining CCTV footage from nearby establishments to establish the attackers’ movements and possible escape routes.
Joint teams of Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF and Army have intensified searches across residential areas, orchards and adjoining villages. Sniffer dogs and technical surveillance are also being deployed to locate the assailants.
Security agencies are examining the possible involvement of Mohammed Lateef Bhat, a local commander of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), who reportedly escaped a security operation in Shopian earlier this year. However, officials said the attackers’ identities have not yet been confirmed.
Following the attack, additional checkpoints have been established in Srinagar, Awantipora, Pampore and other sensitive areas of South Kashmir.
Police and paramilitary personnel have intensified frisking, random vehicle checking and round-the-clock patrolling, while armoured vehicles have been stationed at strategic locations.
A senior police officer said the security grid had been reviewed across the Valley to prevent further attacks without unnecessarily disrupting civilian movement.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also convened a high-level security meeting following a briefing from the CRPF.
Director General of CRPF G P Singh visited South Kashmir on Friday to review counter-insurgency operations and interact with senior field officers of the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police at Sadura in Anantnag.
He also visited injured Head Constable Sonbir Singh, undergoing treatment at the Army Hospital in Srinagar.
The CRPF chief appreciated the personnel’s courageous response to the attack and acknowledged the Army’s immediate helicopter assistance in evacuating the injured.
Meanwhile, security forces have launched an extensive operation in Kishtwar following the killing of two SPOs, Babi Chand and Rashpal Kumar, whose bullet-riddled bodies were recovered from the remote Dachhan area on Thursday.
The personnel, posted with the Special Operations Group at Kiyar village, had gone missing on Wednesday while proceeding towards an Army post for patrolling duty. Their service weapons and ammunition were also found missing.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have released posters of three wanted terrorists—Mohammad Amin alias Jahangir, Riaz Ahmed alias Hazari and Mudassir Hussain—and announced a cash reward of Rs 30 lakh for information leading to their arrest.
Specialized security teams, supported by drones and sniffer dogs, have been deployed to trace those responsible.
Authorities have appealed for public cooperation and assured confidentiality to anyone providing information about the wanted terrorists.
LG condoles SPOs’ killing
Jammu Tawi, Nov 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday paid tributes to two Special Police Officers (SPOs) killed in a terror attack in the remote Dachhan area of Kishtwar district.
The bullet-riddled bodies of the two SPOs, identified as Babi Chand (57) and Rashpal Kumar (45), were recovered early Thursday, a day after they went missing in the area.
In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said he was deeply grieved by the loss of the two brave Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel, who laid down their lives in the line of duty. He strongly condemned the attack, describing it as cowardly.
“Their courage, unwavering dedication and selfless service to the nation will always be remembered,” Sinha said, while conveying his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and expressing solidarity with them.
Officials said the service weapons of the slain SPOs, an INSAS rifle and a .303 rifle, along with magazines and ammunition, were missing and were believed to have been taken away by the terrorists. Empty cartridges of Pakistani-origin armour-piercing steel-core ammunition were also recovered from the scene.
Preliminary investigation has ruled out the abduction of the two SPOs before their killing, officials said.
The incident took place at an altitude of around 8,858 feet between Deharna and Kiyar villages when the two personnel were heading towards a post at Basnand. They were attached to the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the local police at Kiyar and had gone missing on Wednesday while travelling from their camp towards an Army post for patrolling duty in the Deharna-Marwah area.
Both personnel were locals and familiar with the difficult terrain of the region, officials said.
A massive operation is underway to identify, track and neutralise the assailants.
The remote Dachhan valley, located in the mountainous region of Kishtwar district, lacks direct all-weather road connectivity. The site of the incident is around 50 km beyond Kishtwar town in the mountainous belt, while Jammu is approximately 210 km from Kishtwar.