Two Village Defence Guards (VDGs), Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar, were found murdered in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, after being abducted by terrorists while grazing livestock in the upper reaches of the district. A joint search operation involving the police, Army, and CRPF is underway to track down the terrorists responsible for the killings. The bodies were discovered near a rivulet in the Pondgwari area, triggering widespread condemnation from political leaders.
The terrorists, reportedly from the Kashmir Tigers group, an offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammad, used the victims’ phones to share photographs of their execution. Following the gruesome killings, protests erupted in Kishtwar, with locals demanding swift action to eliminate the terrorists responsible.
Security forces have intensified their efforts, deploying drones, sniffer dogs, and a helicopter to aid in the search operation, which is concentrated in the hilly regions of Kuntwara, Ohli, and Munzla Dhar. Officials have confirmed the identities of the VDGs, whose deaths have shocked their families and the local community.
The rise in terror attacks in Kishtwar and surrounding Jammu regions has been attributed to attempts by cross-border groups to revive militancy in what was once a relatively peaceful area. This year, Kishtwar has witnessed a disturbing spike in such incidents, with security agencies increasing their vigilance.
The killings of Ahmed and Kumar have deeply affected the local population, prompting protests in Kishtwar. Hundreds gathered to demand justice, blocking roads and burning tires to express their anger over the terrorist attacks and to call for stronger measures to combat militancy in the region.
