The tragic discovery of the bodies of three Jammu and Kashmir locals in the remote upper reaches of Billawar, Kathua district, has raised several unanswered questions, leaving authorities and families seeking closure. The deceased—Varun Singh, a 15-year-old minor, along with Yogesh Singh (32) and Darshan Singh (40), all residents of Marhoon—had gone missing on Thursday while traveling to attend a wedding. Their disappearance triggered an extensive search operation involving the Indian Army and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Initially, there was significant concern that the trio may have been kidnapped by terrorists. The suspicion gained traction after a post from the terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF) hinted at a possible abduction, while reports also surfaced of two unidentified individuals being spotted in the Morda Dalalu area of Lohai Malhar on Wednesday night. Given the history of militancy in the region, security forces feared the worst and deployed a high-level search operation, with two senior officers, including a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, being directed to camp in Billawar and oversee the efforts personally.
However, as the investigation progressed, an alternative theory began to emerge—suggesting that their deaths may have been the result of an accident rather than a militant act. One of the missing individuals had managed to call his family before their disappearance, stating that they had lost their way in the hills. This crucial piece of information led investigators to consider the possibility that they may have wandered into difficult terrain and either succumbed to exposure or suffered a fatal fall in the treacherous landscape.
Despite the growing possibility that an accident was to blame, security forces are not ruling out any angle yet. The region has witnessed sporadic militant activity, and the fact that an alleged claim by a terror group surfaced online has kept authorities on high alert. The retrieval of the bodies, however, suggests that there was no immediate evidence of foul play, though further forensic examination and post-mortem reports will be crucial in determining the exact cause of death.
For the families of the victims, the loss has been devastating, with their hopes of a safe return being dashed by the grim discovery. Locals in the area have expressed sorrow and concern over the incident, with some demanding greater security and improved infrastructure in the remote hilly regions to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Authorities have assured that a thorough probe will be conducted to ascertain whether any external elements were involved or if this was a case of unfortunate misadventure. Meanwhile, security forces continue to maintain a heightened presence in the area, ensuring that no security lapses occur, especially given the lingering suspicions that militants may have been active nearby. The post-mortem examination is expected to provide definitive answers, but until then, uncertainty lingers over the fate of the three victims and the exact circumstances that led to their untimely demise.
