Two J&K Police SPOs Found Murdered in Kishtwar as Security Forces Launch Hunt for Attackers

Two Special Police Officers (SPOs) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police were found dead in the Kishtwar district on Thursday, November 12, 2026, after going missing during operational duty a day earlier. The recovery of their bullet-riddled bodies from the remote Dachhan area has triggered a major security response, with security forces intensifying efforts to identify and track down those responsible for the killings.

The deceased personnel have been identified as Rashpal Kumar, aged 45, and Babi Chand, aged 57. Both officers were residents of Kiyar village in the Dachhan region of Kishtwar and were associated with the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. They were reportedly assigned duties connected with an Army post in the Dharna-Marwah sector.

According to officials, the two SPOs went missing on Wednesday while travelling from their camp towards an Army post at Dharna-Marwah. They were expected to report for their assigned duty but failed to reach their destination. Their disappearance raised immediate concerns among security agencies, particularly because they were operating in a remote and sensitive mountainous region.

Following reports of their disappearance, a large-scale search operation was launched involving the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Army personnel. Security teams searched the surrounding forest areas and difficult mountainous terrain to establish their whereabouts. Their mobile phones were reportedly reachable initially but were later switched off, adding to concerns about their safety.

The search operation continued through the night before their bodies were recovered on Thursday morning. Initial information indicated that both personnel had sustained multiple bullet injuries. Their service weapons were also found missing from the scene, raising suspicions that the attackers may have taken the firearms after killing them.

The disappearance of the weapons has become an important aspect of the ongoing investigation. Officials suspect a possible militant connection, although the identities of the attackers and the exact circumstances surrounding the killings have not yet been officially confirmed.

Following the recovery, security forces intensified the search and cordon operation across the Dachhan region and adjoining areas. Police and Army personnel are working to examine the circumstances of the incident, gather intelligence and locate the suspected attackers. The challenging geographical conditions, including dense forests and inaccessible mountain routes, have added complexity to the security operation.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about the security situation in the mountainous areas of Jammu and Kashmir, where security forces continue to conduct counter-terrorism operations. The killing of two police personnel while travelling for official duty also highlights the risks faced by local security staff operating in remote areas.

The development comes amid heightened security concerns in the Union Territory following a separate attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) checkpoint in the Kulgam district on Wednesday, November 11, in which three CRPF personnel were injured.

Security agencies are continuing their efforts to establish the full sequence of events behind the Kishtwar killings. The investigation and search operation remain focused on identifying those responsible, recovering the missing service weapons and preventing further security threats in the region. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.