Day after 3 bodies found in Kathua, minister claims terror angle; L-G orders investigation

A day after the bodies of three missing persons were discovered near a waterfall in the Malhar area of Kathua district, Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday claimed that the trio were killed by terrorists. However, the police have yet to officially confirm the c\ause of death.

The bodies of Varun Singh (14), his uncle Yogesh Singh (32) and maternal uncle Darshan Singh (40) were located in Ishu Nallah in Malhar during a joint search operation on Saturday, which involved security forces flying drones. The bodies, found lying in a stream, were later retrieved by the forces.

Singh, commenting on the tragic incident, stated, “The brutal killing of three youth by terrorists in Bani area of district Kathua is extremely sad as well as a matter of great concern. There appears to be a deep conspiracy behind spoiling the atmosphere in this peaceful area.” He added, “We have discussed this matter with the officials concerned. The Union Home Secretary himself is reaching Jammu so that the situation can be assessed on the spot. I am confident that it will be ensured that such incidents do not happen again and the confidence of the people remains strong.”

In an official statement, the police confirmed that a missing person case had been registered on March 6 at the Malhar police station. The three relatives, who had been part of a marriage procession traveling from Marhoon to Surag, had gone missing on March 5. The police, with the help of the Army, CRPF, SOG and VDGs, launched a large-scale search operation under the supervision of senior officers. “The bodies of the three missing persons were recovered from a waterfall. An investigation is ongoing and a board of doctors has been formed for post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death,” the statement read.

The incident sparked protests, with locals and political leaders organising demonstrations and observing a Billawar bandh on Sunday. Protesters, pointing to the deteriorating security situation in the region, accused security forces of failing to eliminate terrorists. The issue also took a political turn after some BJP supporters allegedly heckled the independent MLA from Bani, Rameshwar Singh, for attempting to meet the families of the deceased. Singh, who claimed the deceased were his distant relatives, told The Tribune, “I had gone to the Billawar hospital where the bodies were supposed to arrive. The BJP leaders did not want me to be there as I am supporting National Conference. I was rescued by my security else they would have harmed me.”

PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also weighed in on the issue, calling the situation in Kathua “deeply alarming.” She pointed out that in a short span of time, nearly a dozen people from both the Muslim and Hindu communities had lost their lives. She added, “Five of them were allegedly chased by police and cow vigilantes, which led to fatal accidents. Subsequently, the bodies of two members of the Hindu community were discovered, followed by three more yesterday, including the heart-breaking case of a fourteen-year-old.”

Mehbooba Mufti further alleged that certain disruptive elements, “possibly operating both within and across the border,” were stoking communal tensions in the sensitive border district. “The authorities must act swiftly yet judiciously to identify and bring the true culprits to justice, ensuring that peace and communal harmony are maintained.”

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in response to the killings, ordered a thorough and transparent investigation.

“I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation and all the necessary support to the families will be provided,” the L-G said in a post on X.

The Lieutenant Governor expressed his shock and sorrow over the brutal killings, stating, “I assure the people of J&K that the perpetrators will be brought to book at the earliest. Justice will be ensured and accountability will be fixed.”