Bodies of Three Missing Hindu Civilians Found in Kathua

New Delhi: The bodies of three Hindu civilians, who went missing from Kathua district in Jammu on Friday, have been found in the upper reaches of Billawar on Saturday. Security forces located the bodies using drone surveillance. A terror group affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba has claimed responsibility for the killings.  

On Friday, the terror outfit released a poster on social media, stating, "The falcons have captured their prey.”

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims, including a minor, were traveling to attend a wedding in the Lohai Malhar area of Kathua district when they went missing on Thursday night.  

Massive Search Operation Launched 

Following reports of their disappearance, security forces, including the Indian Army, CRPF, and the Special Operations Group (SOG), launched an extensive search operation in the upper reaches of Billawar. Jammu & Kashmir Police dispatched senior officers to the area, including an IPS officer of DIG rank and a KPS officer of SSP rank, to oversee the search efforts.  

The SP of the Anti-Terror Unit (SOG) was already stationed in Billawar, while Inspector General (IG) Jammu Zone Police Bhim Sen Tuti, DIG JKS Shiv Kumar Sharma, and SP Ops have now reached the area to supervise the ongoing operation.  

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma took to social media platform X, revealing that he had spoken to IG Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti about the incident.  

“This issue was also taken up in the Assembly today morning by BJP MLA Satish Sharma,” Sharma added. During the legislative session, BJP leader Satish Sharma raised a point of order, informing the House about the tragic incident in Billawar’s Lohai Malhar area.