JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Bullet-riddled bodies of two special police officers (SPOs) were found in the remote forests of J&K’s Kishtwar district Thursday, with their service rifles missing, triggering a search for the attackers and renewed concerns over a possible revival of terrorism in Chenab valley.Rashpal Kumar, 45, and Bobby Chand, 57, both residents of Kiyar Dachhan and posted with SOG Kiyar sector, had gone missing on Nov 10 while travelling to an Army post at Dharna-Marwah for rotation duty. A search was launched after they failed to reach the post. Their mobile phones were initially reachable but later switched off.One SPO had a bullet wound to his head and the other to his back. Their bodies were shifted for autopsy. Their INSAS and .303 rifles were missing.Sources said it was too early to link the killings to terrorism. However, Hizbul Mujahideen commander Jahangir Saroori, believed to be the longest-surviving terrorist in Chenab valley, was suspected to have been hiding in the area for decades. Mudassar, Riaj and south Kashmir terrorist Latif Bhat were also trying to revive terrorism in the region, the sources added.The killings came as security forces intensified searches in south Kashmir’s Kulgam after a terrorist fired at a CRPF checkpoint around 70km south of Srinagar Wednesday, wounding three personnel. A CRPF officer said the attack appeared to have been carried out by a lone gunman using a high-calibre weapon, possibly an AK-47, before escaping. The wounded men were out of danger.Political parties condemned both the Kulgam attack and the Kishtwar killings. J&K leader of opposition
Sunil Sharma alleged terrorists had kidnapped the SPOs while they were travelling through the dense forest. “These terrorists, who are on the verge of being wiped out, are still trying to make their presence felt. This is a matter of concern for us,” he said.Former NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi said the attacks were intended to derail the progress towards peace. “The perpetrators must be held accountable without delay,” he said.SPOs are temporary, honorarium-based local recruits appointed to assist J&K police. Trained in handling weapons, they support village defence committees, and participate in counter-terrorism operations alongside security forces in remote areas.In a separate operation in north Kashmir, security forces rounded up Ghulam Jeelani Reshi of Tangmarg from a forest. One hand grenade was found on him and another was found concealed in the forest following his disclosure, police said.