3 Kathua civilians were killed by terrorists, Union Minister says, claims conspiracy to spoil peace

The bodies of the civilians were found in a river flowing through Inchhu forests in Kathua district’s Malhar area on Saturday evening. The three, Yogesh, 32, Darshan, 40, and Varun, 14, are believed to be cousins, a police officer said.

They were part of a wedding procession which was on its way from Billawar’s Dehota village to Surag village in Malhar on Thursday evening. When the procession was near Inchhu forests around 8.30 pm, they reportedly got separated from other members of the wedding party and lost their way in the darkness. On reaching Surag, some other members of the wedding party informed the local police that the three persons were missing, sources said.

Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir tweeted that he has ordered an investigation the case and assures people that the perpetrators will be held accountable soon.

I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation, and all the necessary support to the families will be provided. I assure the people that the perpetrators will be brought to book at the earliest. Justice will be ensured and accountability will be fixed.

— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) March 9, 2025

Mehbooba Mufti tweeted saying the situation is “deeply alarming”.

The situation in Kathua is deeply alarming. In a short span of time nearly a dozen people from both the Muslim & Hindu communities have lost their lives. Five of them were allegedly chased by police and cow vigilantes which led to fatal accidents. Subsequently the bodies of two…

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) March 9, 2025

The bodies were sighted in the river on Saturday. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained as the police parties are yet to reach the area, the police officer said.

In the post on X, Dr Singh said, “We have discussed this matter with the concerned officials. The Union Home Secretary himself is reaching Jammu so that the situation can be assessed on the spot. I am confident that it will be ensured that such incidents do not happen again and the confidence of the people remains strong.”

Sources said Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan will review the security situation with high ranking officers from police, para military and security forces during the day in Jammu.

Meanwhile, people in Billawar town observed complete bandh and held demonstrations over the killing of civilians.

The police and para military forces have been deployed in strength in view of anger among people in the area.

MLA Bani, Dr Rameshwar Singh, who visited the sub district hospital at Billawar to meet the families of the deceased Saturday night was manhandled by a group of protestors.

Later, he told media persons that some people were trying to vitiate the atmosphere, and that he was assaulted for having raised the issue of a Gujjar youth Makhan Din who, alleging police torture to make a statement about militant links, had died by suicide.

Rameshwar Singh said he was the only person to have raised in the Legislative Assembly the issue of the disappearance of three civilians in Malhar area, who were later found dead on Sunday.

Suspecting the three might have been kidnapped by militants, security forces and the Jammu and Kashmir Police launched searches for them, particularly since there had already been reports of militant movement in the area. This area falls in close proximity of Badnota where five soldiers were killed in a militant attack on an army convoy in July last year.