Billawar, 09 March – Union Minister Jitendra Singh has raised concerns about the possible involvement of terrorists in the recent killings of three civilians in the Malhar area of Billawar tehsil, Kathua district. The bodies of Varun Singh, 15, and his uncles, Yogesh Singh, 32, and Darshan Singh, 40, were found in Ishu nullah on Saturday. This tragic event has led to protests and a shutdown in the area.
Minister Singh called the killings “extremely sad” and suggested that there might be a larger plan to disturb the peace in the region. He said, “The brutal killing of three youths by terrorists in the Bani area of district Kathua is a matter of great concern.” Singh also mentioned that the Union Home Secretary, Govind Mohan, will visit Jammu to assess the situation.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, expressed his sorrow over the killings and noted that rising crime is a serious issue. He also condemned an attack on Bani MLA Rameshwar Singh, who was confronted by protesters while visiting the families of the victims at a local hospital. Singh’s security team had to step in to protect him.
In response to the attack, MLA Rameshwar Singh said, “I want to tell those who attacked me not to create a bad atmosphere.” He explained that he had been advocating for the missing trio since they disappeared and had been in touch with the police. Singh also mentioned the recent suicide of a young man named Makhan Din, who allegedly took his life due to police pressure over suspected terrorist links.
Local BJP leader Gopal Krishan, who led a group of protesters, called the incident a clear case of targeted killings by terrorists. He urged the government to step up anti-terror operations in the forests, where terrorists are believed to be hiding. “We want the government to take action against the terrorists who threaten our peaceful community,” he said.
Senior BJP leader and Billawar MLA Satish Sharma visited the families of the deceased and warned against making assumptions about who was responsible for the killings. “It is a matter of investigation, and the police are looking into all possibilities, including the terror angle,” he said, adding that more information will come after the postmortem report.
The Congress party has called for a high-level investigation to address the fears of local residents and restore a sense of safety in the area.
As the situation unfolds, the people of Billawar and nearby areas continue to express their anger and demand justice for the victims. The community is on high alert, hoping for a resolution that will ensure their safety and bring peace back to the region.
