Missing SPO Found Dead Near Residence in Kishtwar, Service Rifle Recovered

By : Yasir Beigh

A Special Police Officer (SPO) who had gone missing along with his service rifle in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district was found dead near his residence on Friday, officials said.

The deceased was identified as Bashir Ahmed, 55, a resident of Wanipora Trigam in Kishtwar district.

According to officials, Ahmed had been posted at the Pedil police post since 2025. He reportedly went missing from his post along with his service self-loading rifle (SLR) and a magazine.

Following his disappearance, police and security forces launched a search operation to trace him.

However, Ahmed’s body was found near his residence on Friday. His service rifle was also recovered from the area, officials said.

A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reached the spot to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The cause of Ahmed’s death remains unclear, and further details are awaited.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated an investigation to establish the circumstances that led to his death.