Militants kill 3 abducted policemen in J&K

Three Special Police Officers (SPOs) who were abducted by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district were found dead on Friday, in a fresh attack targeting local police personnel.

Police sources said the bodies of the three men were recovered from Kapran village in the morning. They were identified as Firdous Ahmad Kuchai, Nisar Ahmad Dhobi and Kuldeep.

The three policemen had reportedly been abducted by militants on Thursday night along with a civilian. The civilian was later released unharmed, according to reports.

The abductions took place in Kapran and Batgund villages in Shopian, an area in south Kashmir that has witnessed militant activity and attacks on security personnel.

The killings came amid reported threats issued by militants to SPOs serving in several parts of south Kashmir. Such personnel have been warned to quit their jobs or face violent consequences.

SPOs are locally recruited personnel who assist the Jammu and Kashmir Police in security and counter-insurgency operations. Because of their local presence and involvement in policing duties, they have increasingly faced threats from militant groups.

The latest incident is likely to raise fresh concerns over the security of police personnel and their families in areas where militants continue to exert pressure on local communities.

Security forces recovered the bodies and launched an investigation into the abductions and killings. Further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident were awaited.