States » NorthPosted at: Nov 15 2026 5:13PM


Kishtwar SPO killings: Karra questions circumstances, calls for probe into all possible angles

Srinagar, Nov 15 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Karra on Sunday questioned the circumstances surrounding the killing of two Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Kishtwar, demanding a thorough investigation into all possible angles and accusing the BJP of attempting to communalise the incident.
Speaking to reporters, Karra said the incident was condemnable, but several questions had emerged regarding the circumstances in which the two SPOs were killed.
“First of all, the incident is condemnable, whoever has done it. However, many questions are being raised over it,” he said.
The two SPOs, identified as Rashpal Kumar (45) and Bobby Chand (57), were reported missing before their bullet-riddled bodies were recovered near a nullah in Kishtwar district on Thursday morning.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha termed their killing a “cowardly attack”, but stopped short of describing it as a terror strike.
Referring to information gathered from the Congress district president in Kishtwar, Karra said one version suggested that the two SPOs had gone hunting and were carrying guns when the incident occurred.
According to the information he had received, the two had crossed two security pickets in the area, including Ward 1 and an adjoining locality, without any difficulty while going out.
“By the time they came back, because of their civil dress, the Army personnel took them as militants and fired upon them. This is one story,” Karra said, adding that the matter would ultimately depend on the outcome of the investigation.
He said another version being circulated, particularly by the BJP, suggested that the two SPOs had been killed by militants.
“If you have an angle of militancy into it, do properly investigate it. But the other angles should also be investigated,” he said, reiterating the Congress demand for an impartial probe.
Karra also criticised statements allegedly made by the local BJP MLA Shagun Parihar, accusing the party of giving a communal colour to the incident.
He referred to the MLA's reported claim that announcements had been made from mosques calling for the killing of Hindus.
“This is highly condemnable,” he said.
Karra said he had asked the district president to challenge the lady MLA if he was satisfied that no such announcements had been made from any mosque.
“If nothing like this happened there and no announcement was made from any mosque, then it is highly condemnable. You challenge that MLA that if such a thing is not proved, she should resign from her chair,” he said.
Accusing BJP leaders of attempting to communalise the situation, Karra said their presence and statements in the area raised questions about their intentions.
“A battery of BJP leaders are sitting there. I think they are trying to communalize the situation. I think they have other designs,” Karra alleged.
He said the developments also raised questions about the Centre's claims regarding the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“It is a question of the credibility of the Government of India, which claims every now and then that the situation is fine,” he said.
Karra alleged that the government projected normalcy whenever it suited its narrative, particularly before the international community, but cited a deteriorating situation on other occasions.
He demanded that the Centre issue a white paper clarifying the actual security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Let them issue a white paper, whether the situation is good or it is not good,” he said.
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Tags: #Kishtwar SPO killings: Karra questions circumstances# calls for probe into all possible angles
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