Kathua killings: J-K LG orders probe; Union minister terms it a terror act

Jammu, March 9: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday ordered a thorough probe into the killing of three civilians in Kathua district even as Union minister Jitendra Singh called it a terror act.
A team has been formed to investigate the case, a senior police officer said.
The bodies of Varun Singh (15), his paternal uncle Yogesh Singh (32) and maternal uncle Darshan Singh (40) were recovered from the Ishu nullah in the remote Malhar area on Saturday. The trio had gone missing on March 5 during a wedding function.
“I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation, and all the necessary support to the families will be provided,” the LG said in a post on X.
He said he was shocked and saddened at the brutal killing of the three persons.
“I assure the people that the perpetrators will be brought to book at the earliest. Justice will be ensured and accountability will be fixed,” Sinha said.
Earlier, Union minister Jitendra Singh, who represents Udhampur constituency that covers Kathua, said the three civilians were killed by terrorists and asserted that there is a “deep conspiracy” to spoil the atmosphere in the area.
The killings have sparked protest in the district.
“The brutal killing of 3 youth by terrorists in Bani area of district 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,” the minister said on X.
“We have discussed this matter with the officials concerned. 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,” he said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the killings as “barbaric”. “Deeply shocked and saddened by the barbaric murder of three innocent civilians, including a minor boy, in Kathua. Such heinous acts have no place in our society and must be met with the strongest condemnation. My heartfelt condolences to the grieving families,” Abdullah said in a post on X. (PTI)