Kishtwar: Two Village Defence Guard members were abducted and Killed by militants in Kishtwar district on Thursday.
Officials told GNS that two VDG members, Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar from Ohli Kuntwara, had gone missing in the upper reaches while grazing livestock.
Later on photographs of their dead bodies were circulating on social media. Their family members were contacted by police and they have confirmed their identities, he said.
A joint operation by Jammu and Kashmir Police and Indian Army personnel is underway in the area to locate the bodies.
In a conversation with PTI, Kuldeep’s brother, Prithvi, said, “We have received information that my brother and Ahmad were abducted and killed by terrorists. They were village defence guards (VDGs) and had gone to graze cattle, as usual.”
The killings were met with strong condemnation from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and others.
Lt Governor Sinha tweeted, “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.”
The National Conference also posted on X, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and party president Farooq Abdullah condemning the killings and emphasising that “such acts of barbaric violence remain a significant impediment in achieving long-lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.”