Claiming there is a “deep conspiracy” to spoil the peaceful atmosphere in Kathua district, Union Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, said the three civilians whose bodies were found in a river in the Malhar area Saturday evening, were killed by militants.
“The brutal killing of three youths by terrorists in Bani area of district Kathua is extremely sad as well as a matter of great concern. There seems to be a deep conspiracy to spoil the peaceful atmosphere in this area,” Dr Singh posted on social media platform X.
The bodies of the civilians were found in a river flowing through Inchhu forests in Kathua district’s Malhar area on Saturday evening. The three, Yogesh, 32, Darshan, 40, and Varun, 14, are believed to be cousins, a police officer said.
They were part of a wedding procession which was on its way from Billawar’s Dehota village to Surag village in Malhar on Thursday evening. When the procession was near Inchhu forests around 8.30 pm, they reportedly got separated from other members of the wedding party and lost their way in the darkness. On reaching Surag, some other members of the wedding party informed the local police that the three persons were missing, sources said.
Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir tweeted that he has ordered an investigation the case and assures people that the perpetrators will be held accountable soon.
The bodies were sighted in the river on Saturday. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained as the police parties are yet to reach the area, the police officer said.
In the post on X, Dr Singh said, “We have discussed this matter with the concerned officials. The Union Home Secretary himself is reaching Jammu so that the situation can be assessed on the spot. I am confident that it will be ensured that such incidents do not happen again and the confidence of the people remains strong.”
Sources said Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan will review the security situation with high ranking officers from police, para military and security forces during the day in Jammu.
