The killing of three civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua has sparked outrage. Union Minister Jitendra Singh claimed militants were involved in the gruesome incident while announcing the construction of a memorial to honour the victims.
Three civilians—Yogesh Singh, 32, Darshan Singh, 40, and Varun Singh, 15—went missing on March 5 while travelling to a wedding in Lohai Malhar. Their bodies were discovered in Ishu Nallah on March 8, triggering widespread outrage in the area.
"A ‘Smriti Smarak’ will be built using my MP fund in accordance with the wishes of the bereaved families. The design and planning will be overseen by public representative Satish Sharma, and the matter has been conveyed to DC Kathua Rakesh Minhas," Dr Singh stated on X.
"जिला #Kathua के बिलावर क्षेत्र में, आतंकियों द्वारा शहीद हुए तीन युवाओं की याद में, मेरी सांसदीय राशि (MP FUND) से तीनों मृतकों के परिवारों की भावनाओं के अनुरूप एक 'स्मृति स्मारक' का निर्माण किया जाएगा।
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) March 9, 2025
इस स्मृति स्मारक की रचना एवं योजना बिलावर के हमारे जनप्रतिनिधि एवं नेता श्री…
Earlier on February 16, the bodies of two civilians, Shamseer and Roshan Lal, were found in Bilawar in Kathua. Their bodies were recovered near a stream at Batheri after being strangled to death.
The police filed an FIR and launched investigations. Senior police officers visited the area after the incident.
"Deeply shocked and saddened by the barbaric murder of three innocent civilians, including a minor boy, in Kathua. Such heinous acts must be met with the strongest condemnation," the Chief Minister's office posted on X on the killing of three civilians.
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.
— Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) March 9, 2025
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also condemned the killings and assured a thorough and transparent investigation. "I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the brutal killing of Varun Singh, Yogesh Singh, and Darshan Singh of Kathua. In this hour of grief, I offer my deepest condolences to their families and friends," the LG’s office said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, raised concerns about a possible larger conspiracy behind the killings.
"This is not an isolated incident. Anti-national elements have been making continuous efforts to disrupt peace,’’ he said. “The administration must conduct a comprehensive probe and bring the real culprits to justice," Sharma remarked.
Congress’ Jammu & Kashmir chief, Tariq Hameed Karra, criticised the Centre and the LG administration for being "clueless" about the deteriorating security situation in Kathua.
"The shocking incidents in the Billawar-Bani belt, combined with recent terror incidents, expose the false claims of normality,’’ Karra said. “The government remains oblivious to the deaths of five people in mysterious circumstances, while the administration behaves in a biased manner instead of seeking cooperation to tackle the situation."
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone also condemned the killings.
