KISHTWAR, OCT 16: A 55-year-old Special Police Officer (SPO), who had reportedly gone missing from his place of duty along with his service weapon, was found dead near his residence in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Bashir Ahmed, a resident of Wanipora Trigam in Kishtwar.
According to police sources, Ahmed had been posted at Pedil Police Post since 2025. He was reported missing from his place of duty along with his service Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) and a magazine.
Following his disappearance, police and security forces launched a search operation to trace the missing officer and recover his weapon.
The search ended with the recovery of Ahmed’s body near his residence in Wanipora Trigam on Friday morning. Officials also confirmed that his missing service rifle had been recovered.
Police personnel subsequently reached the spot, and a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team examined the scene to collect evidence and assist in determining the circumstances surrounding his death.
A senior police officer said the exact cause of death has not yet been established.
Kishtwar Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated a detailed investigation. Investigators are examining the circumstances of the SPO’s disappearance from his place of posting and the events leading to the recovery of his body.
Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.
