Srinagar, Mar 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified their investigation into the recent killings of three civilians in Kathua, forming multiple Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to probe the case. In a bid to ensure public safety, the security grid in the affected areas has been reinforced.
Speaking to media in Billawar, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Jammu-Kathua-Samba (JKS) Range, Shiv Kumar said that comprehensive security measures are being implemented to fortify these areas. He said police’s commitment to supporting the families of the deceased and providing them with justice.
“We stand with the bereaved families and express our deepest condolences. The Jammu and Kashmir Police will ensure justice is served,” he said.
DIG Kumar further said that to enhance security, additional Village Defense Groups (VDGs) will be inducted in remote villages and equipped with semi-automatic weapons. These groups will undergo extensive anti-terrorist operations training facilitated by the J&K Police, Special Operations Group (SOG), Army, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),” he said.
The DIG, who has been camping in Billawar, met with protesting residents from Malhar, Malad, Marhoon, Deota, and Billawar town.
He reassured them that security reinforcements, including the establishment of additional police, SOG, Army, and CRPF camps, are in the pipeline. Furthermore, frequent police-public meetings will be held to strengthen communication and address community concerns.
The bodies of the deceased were recovered after an extensive joint search operation involving the Police, Army, CRPF, SOG, VDGs, and local volunteers in the region’s challenging terrain. DIG highlighted the collaborative effort behind the search and recovery mission.
During his visit, DIG Shiv Kumar was accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua, Shobit Saxena, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Billawar, Neeraj, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Operations Malhar, Station House Officer (SHO) Billawar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Billawar, Vinay Khosla, Tehsildar Malhar, Amit Kumar, and other officials.
Locals from Malhar, Malad, Marhoon, Deota, and Billawar town also staged protests in the area which were later dispersed after assurance from DIG Jammu Kathua.
Rajinder Singh, a resident of Malhar said people are living in constant fear. These killings have shaken our entire community. Strengthening security is necessary, but we also need accountability and justice for the victims.
“Our villages have always been peaceful, but now we are scared to step out after dark. We want the terrorists caught and punished. Promises are not enough, we need action on the ground,” he said.
Singh said both police and security forces must ensure such incidents never happen again. We demand regular patrols and a permanent security presence in vulnerable areas,” he added.
Another local Sunita Kumari said that they have lost our loved ones. No family should have to go through this pain. We will keep raising our voices until we see justice delivered. These three civilians including a youngster were attending marriage and were killed in cold blood by terrorists, she added.
On March 8, the bodies of a teenager and his two relatives were discovered near a waterfall in Malhar, Kathua district, three days after they went missing during a family wedding.
The deceased were identified as Varun Singh (15) from Dehota, his uncle Yogesh Singh (32), and maternal uncle Darshan Singh (40). Their bodies were located in Ishu Nallah using drones during a joint search operation by police and the Army.
Earlier, on February 16, the bodies of two villagers, Shamsher (37) and Roshan (45), were found in Kohag village, Billawar. A postmortem examination confirmed they had been strangled to death.
LG condemns Kathua killings
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed deep sorrow and anguish over the brutal killing of three civilians—Varun Singh, Yogesh Singh, and Darshan Singh—from Kathua district.
In a statement posted on X, the Lieutenant Governor said: “I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the brutal killing of Varun Singh, Yogesh Singh, and Darshan Singh of Kathua. In this hour of grief, I offer my deepest condolences to their families and friends.
I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation, and all necessary support will be extended to the families. I assure the people that the perpetrators will be brought to justice at the earliest. Justice will be ensured, and accountability will be fixed.”
