Two policemen of the Jammu and Kashmir Police were found dead with bullet injuries in Kishtwar district on Thursday, November 12, 2026, a day after they went missing during an anti-terror operation in the region. The discovery of their bodies has raised fresh security concerns in the Chenab Valley, where security forces have been conducting operations against suspected terrorist groups.
The deceased were identified as Special Police Officers (SPOs) Rashpal Kumar, 45, and Bobby Chand, 57. Both officers were residents of Kiyar Dacchan in Kishtwar district.
According to official sources, their bodies were spotted in the forested Kiyar sector of the Dacchan area on Thursday after security forces launched a massive search operation to trace them.
Two Policemen Went Missing During Army Operation
Initial reports suggested that the two SPOs had gone missing on Wednesday, November 11, while accompanying a team of the Army’s 17 Rashtriya Rifles to the Basnan area in the upper reaches of Kishtwar.
The area is covered by dense forests and has difficult terrain, making security operations challenging.
Both policemen were associated with the Temporary Operating Bases (TOBs) established by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to strengthen security in areas facing increased terrorist activity.
According to the available information, Rashpal Kumar and Bobby Chand failed to return to the TOB Camp Dharna in Sector Marwah after accompanying the Army team. Their failure to report back raised concerns among security personnel, prompting a search operation in the surrounding forest areas.
Bodies Found With Bullet Injuries
During the search operation, security personnel discovered the bodies of both missing officers in the Kiyar sector of Kishtwar’s Dacchan area.
Official sources said both policemen had sustained bullet injuries. Reports also indicated that the area witnessed gunfire after the officers went missing.
The mobile phones of the two SPOs reportedly became switched off after a particular time, adding to concerns about their whereabouts.
However, the exact circumstances surrounding their disappearance and deaths remain unclear. Further details about the incident and the sequence of events are awaited.
The difficult geographical conditions of Kishtwar’s upper reaches have made security operations particularly challenging. Dense forests, remote settlements and limited road connectivity can complicate surveillance and search efforts. Security forces have continued to focus on these areas to monitor suspicious movement and strengthen their presence in locations considered vulnerable to terrorist activity.
Terrorist Involvement Not Officially Confirmed
Although the incident occurred in an area where security forces have been conducting counter-terror operations, the police had not issued a formal statement confirming the circumstances of the killings at the time of the reports.
The involvement of terrorists in the deaths of the two SPOs has also not been officially established.
Kishtwar has remained an important focus of counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Security agencies have been working to identify and eliminate the remaining terrorist presence in remote and forested parts of the district.
Temporary Operating Bases have been established in vulnerable areas to improve security coverage and strengthen the presence of police personnel.
Three CRPF Personnel Injured in Kulgam Attack
The deaths of the two policemen came a day after terrorists opened fire on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
The attack left three CRPF personnel injured. The injured security personnel were taken for medical treatment.
The two incidents within a short period have once again brought the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir into focus.
Security forces continue to maintain vigilance in sensitive areas, particularly in forested locations where suspected terrorist groups may be operating.
Further information about the investigation into the deaths of the two SPOs is awaited.
