NEW DELHI: Kathua is grappling with rising tensions as two teenagers have gone missing following the tragic discovery of three civiliansโ bodies in a deep gorge.
Authorities are now intensifying efforts to address the situation.
The teenagers, identified as Mohammad Din and Rehman Ali, were last seen in the Rajbagh region of Kathua. A case has been filed, and a large-scale search operation is underway.
Earlier, three civiliansโYogesh Singh (32), Darshan Singh (40), and Varun Singh (15)โwent missing on March 5 while traveling to a wedding in Lohai Malhar.
Their bodies were recovered two days later, on March 7, in the Billawar region of Kathua. The bodies were discovered in a remote gorge, prompting fears that terrorists may be responsible. An investigation into the deaths has been initiated.
The incident has created political uproar. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the killings as โbarbaricโ and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He emphasized that such horrific acts have no place in society.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh also spoke out, attributing the killings to terrorists and suggesting that a broader conspiracy may be at play to destabilize the region. Local protests have erupted in the district as a result of the killings.
A shutdown was observed in Billawar and surrounding areas on Sunday to protest the deaths. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his grief over the killings and vowed to ensure a thorough investigation.
He reassured the bereaved families that justice would be served promptly and promised full support to them.
The Jammu-Samba-Kathua (JKS) range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Shiv Kumar Sharma, along with senior officials, visited the bereaved families and spoke with local protesters in Bani, Billawar, and nearby areas.
In an effort to quell the protests, Sharma assured residents that security would be enhanced in the region. He also promised that additional security measures would be implemented, including the induction of more Village Defense Guards (VDGs) and intensified anti-terrorist operations.
The post-mortem of the three victims did not reveal any signs of bullet wounds or sharp-edged weapon injuries. However, reports indicated injuries consistent with falling from a height.
DIG Sharma emphasized that additional security infrastructure would be set up in the area, including more VDGs armed with semi-automatic weapons and better-trained personnel.
SOG camps will also be expanded to combat terrorism, and police-public meetings will be organized to foster better cooperation between the community and law enforcement.
Despite the escalating tensions, police have restricted access to the bereaved families, preventing Congress leader Chowdhary Lal Singh and his colleagues from visiting the area, citing security concerns. Local MLA Bani also faced hostility when attempting to meet the grieving families.
