Sunil Sharma questions operational preparedness and security arrangements following the killing of two SPOs in Kishtwar's Dachhan area. (Img: Dynamite News)
Jammu: The killing of two Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district has triggered serious questions over operational preparedness, personnel safety and security arrangements in vulnerable mountainous areas, with Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma demanding accountability from the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Raising concerns over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two personnel in the Dachhan area, the senior BJP leader questioned the decision to deploy them on an operation in difficult mountainous terrain and called for a detailed investigation into the incident, including the circumstances of their deployment and the wider security arrangements.
The episode has intensified scrutiny of counter-terrorism preparedness in the strategically sensitive Kishtwar region, where challenging geographical conditions, remote settlements and communication constraints can complicate security operations.
Sharma raised the concerns during an interaction with Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Tejinder Singh, who visited the families of the deceased personnel on Saturday. The Leader of Opposition questioned the operational decision to send the two SPOs into the treacherous mountainous terrain with their service weapons to assist Army personnel.
According to Sharma, the circumstances of their deployment placed the personnel in an extremely vulnerable situation, raising questions about operational planning, risk assessment and the adequacy of security support provided during the assignment. He also questioned the security arrangements following the killings and called for greater accountability in the handling of the operation.
His intervention has brought renewed attention to the responsibilities of security agencies in ensuring that personnel deployed in difficult operational environments receive adequate protection, communication support and logistical assistance.
The deceased personnel were identified as Babi Chand, 57, and Rashpal Kumar, 45, residents of Kiyar village in Kishtwar district. Their bullet-riddled bodies were recovered from a forested area in Dachhan after the two men went missing while travelling through the mountainous region.
The circumstances surrounding their disappearance and subsequent recovery have raised concerns over the security situation in the area. The deaths have also drawn attention to the risks faced by local security personnel operating in remote terrain, where difficult access, limited communication connectivity and the absence of permanent security infrastructure can complicate emergency response and operational coordination.
For the families of the deceased, the incident has brought an immense personal loss, while the wider security establishment faces questions over the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Calling for an overhaul of the existing security arrangements, Sharma demanded the establishment of a permanent police picket at Dachhan. He also called for the deployment of 40 security personnel to be moved back to Dachhan, arguing for a stronger and more consistent security presence in the area.
The demand assumes significance given the strategic importance of remote mountainous locations in Jammu and Kashmir, where a sustained security footprint can be critical for surveillance, response capabilities and the protection of local communities. A permanent police presence could also strengthen coordination between local police units and other security agencies operating in the region.
Sharma further stressed the need to expand counter-terrorism infrastructure and improve communication facilities to address operational vulnerabilities.
The incident has highlighted the importance of strengthening security infrastructure in geographically challenging areas of Kishtwar. Remote mountainous locations present distinctive operational challenges, including difficult terrain, restricted road connectivity, communication blackouts and delays in the movement of personnel and emergency support.
Reliable communication networks are particularly important for maintaining coordination between security personnel, monitoring field operations and facilitating timely assistance during emergencies. Sharma's demand for improved communication facilities and additional counter-terrorism infrastructure reflects concerns over whether existing arrangements are sufficient to address the security requirements of Dachhan and surrounding areas.
The broader issue extends beyond the immediate circumstances of the killings to the preparedness of security agencies operating in vulnerable and difficult-to-access locations.
Apart from questioning the operational circumstances surrounding the deaths, the BJP leader also raised concerns relating to the recruitment of Special Police Officers. He called for a detailed investigation into the recruitment-related issues, adding another dimension to the demand for accountability following the incident.
SPOs play an important supporting role in Jammu and Kashmir's security architecture, particularly because of their local knowledge, familiarity with difficult terrain and ability to assist regular police personnel in area-specific operations.
Their deployment, training, operational responsibilities and protection arrangements therefore remain important components of the region's wider security framework. Sharma's demand has brought the recruitment and deployment of SPOs into the broader debate surrounding personnel safety and institutional accountability.
