Police locate missing Kathua boys after two weeks, probe underway

Two minors who had gone missing last month were recovered in Kathua on Saturday and handed over to their parents. The missing boys, identified as Mohammad Din (15) and Rehmat Ali (12), had gone to graze their cattle in the Marheen area of Kathua. They were found in the Rajbagh area of the district today.

While the police did not disclose the exact location where the minors were found, SSP Kathua Shobhit Saxena, in a press conference, stated that strenuous efforts by the police led to their recovery.

The SSP mentioned that all inter-state borders and toll plazas were scanned after the missing report was registered. The boys had gone missing on February 28, but their family filed the report only on March 9.

Senior police officials had reached Kathua to investigate the case, as it was suspected to have a possible terror angle, especially in light of at least five recent deaths in the district, whose final reports are still awaited.

“We are speaking to the children to determine where they stayed during this period. They will receive counselling and be questioned under supervision. A special team was formed to track their location. The children used different modes of transport while they were missing. As of now, there is no evidence of malicious intent behind their disappearance, but it is too early to draw conclusions,” said the SSP.

When questioned by the media, the minors claimed they had been kidnapped by an unknown person and taken to an isolated place. However, the SSP noted that the children appeared nervous, and their statements were inconsistent.

Meanwhile, the SSP also provided an update on the murder case in which two bodies were found on February 16 in Billawar, stating that it appeared to be a case of rivalry. “However, we cannot conclusively say anything yet, as the investigation is still ongoing,” he added. An SIT was formed to investigate the case after locals protested, alleging a terror-related angle.

The SSP further addressed the case in which three people, including a minor, were recently found dead near a waterfall. He said preliminary probe do not indicate a terror link. However, the final report will be released once the FSL submits its findings.