Kathua Deaths: Union Minister Jitendra Singh Points To Terror Angle

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Jammu: Union minister of science and technology Jitendra Singh claimed on Sunday that terrorists were involved in the deaths of three persons from Bilawar in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district. The bodies of Yogesh Singh (32), Darshan Singh (48) and their nephew Varun Singh (15) were recovered from the Ishu Nullah, in the remote Malhar area of Kathua, on Saturday.

The three were on their way to attend a wedding when they went missing in the higher reaches of the district. While foul play is being suspected, the police are yet to confirm the cause of deaths. In the recent past, two more Hindu residents of Kathua were found dead in a water body. It was initially believed that the two had accidentally drowned. The post mortem report pointed to murder though.

Union home secretary Govind Mohan also reached Jammu on Sunday, where he chaired a high-level meeting with officials of all security agencies. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the deaths.

“The brutal killing of three persons by terrorists in the Bani area of Kathua is extremely sad, as well as a matter of great concern. There appears to be a deep conspiracy behind spoiling the atmosphere in this peaceful area. We have discussed this matter with the officials concerned. The Union home secretary is in Jammu to assess the situation. I am confident that it will be ensured that such incidents do not happen again and the confidence of the people remains strong,” Singh posted on ‘X’. He is the MP from the Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency that covers Kathua.

Mufti also posted her concern on ‘X’, saying: “…………There are indications that certain disruptive elements, possibly operating both within and across the border, may be stoking communal tensions in the sensitive border district. The authorities must act swiftly, yet judiciously, to identify and bring the true culprits to justice, ensuring that peace and communal harmony is maintained.”

Even as Bilawar observed a shutdown on Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary said: “Increasing crime is a matter of concern.”