J-K: Bodies Of Two Abducted VDGs Recovered By Security Forces In Kishtwar; Manhunt On For Terrorists

Kishtwar VDG Killings: The bodies of two village defence guards (VDGs) abducted and killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district were recovered by security forces on Friday, the police said. According to officials, the victims, identified as Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar, were abducted and executed in the higher reaches of Kishtwar.

Their bodies were recovered from the forested areas of Ohli Kuntwara during an intensive joint search operation launched by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Army, news agency ANI reported. Security forces have launched a massive cordon-and-search operation in Kishtwar to hunt down the terrorists responsible for the killings, PTI said in its report.

Ahmed and Kumar, both residents of Kishtwar's Kuntwara area, had gone to graze their cattle in the forest, the police said. Photographs of their bodies circulated on social media after the duo went missing, a police spokesperson informed, PTI reported. The photographs were reportedly shared from the victims' mobile phones by the terrorists.

Kashmir Tigers, an offshoot of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad, has claimed responsibility for the killings. The outfit reportedly shared photos of the two men with their eyes blindfolded.

Reacting to the killings, J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted on X: "Deeply saddened & concerned by the attack that resulted in the deaths of Kuldeep Kumar & Nazeer Ahmed Padder of Kuntwara in Kishtwar, members of the local village defence committee. The terrorists killed two innocent men who had taken their livestock to graze. I condemn this attack unequivocally & send my condolences to the families. At the same time, I expect the security forces to move quickly to plug any gaps in our counter-terror grid & ensure that attacks like this stop completely."

J-K Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha also condemned the barbaric act of terror and paid homage to the deceased men. Taking to X, Sinha wrote, "No words are strong enough to condemn the heinous terrorist attack on VDG members in Kishtwar. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of brave sons martyred in this cowardly attack. We are firmly resolved to destroy all terror outfits & avenge this barbaric act."

Kishtwar, along with other districts in the relatively peaceful Jammu division such as Reasi, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Kathua, and Doda, have witnessed a spate of terror-related incidents in recent months.

In fact, a dastardly terror attack in Reasi on June 9 this year marked the beginning of such incidents in Jammu. The June 9 attack saw terrorists open fire on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims. The firing caused the vehicle to plunge into a gorge, resulting in the deaths of at least nine pilgrims and injuring 42 others.

(With inputs from agencies)