BJP Leader Condemns Tarik Karras Statement on SPO Killings in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu, November 15 (Daily Kiran) : Sunil Sharma, the leader of the opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, condemned Tarik Karra’s recent statement accusing the army of killing Special Police Officers (SPO) Rashpal Kumar and Babbi Chand in Kishtwar. Sharma claimed that the Congress party is misleading the public by blaming security forces for acts of terrorism.

He clarified that Kumar and Chand were not out hunting, as Karra suggested, but were on duty with the Special Operations Group (SOG) and were heading to a military post to relieve stationed soldiers. “To label these two martyrs as hunters is an insult to their sacrifice and their grieving families,” Sharma stated.

Rejecting claims of mistaken identity, Sharma pointed out that the terrorists took the SPOs’ INSAS and .303 rifles, along with their magazines and ammunition. Additionally, armor-piercing cartridges made in Pakistan were recovered from the scene.

The Jammu and Kashmir police have issued posters of three wanted terrorists, placing a bounty of 3 million rupees on their heads. Sharma questioned, “Does Congress expect people to believe that the Indian Army killed our own policemen and then fled with their rifles?”

He further noted that Karra’s own words contradict his narrative. “He admits that the SPOs passed through both checkpoints easily. The soldiers stationed there recognized these local SOG members, who frequently move between police and army posts. The mistaken identity story is inherently contradictory,” Sharma added.

Highlighting the Congress party’s inconsistent stance, Sharma pointed out that Karra initially labeled the killings as evidence of terrorism on November 14, only to blame the army the following day. He criticized Karra for relying on rumors and reports while making serious allegations against the army in front of the media.

Sharma emphasized that spreading rumors in cases of terrorist killings is irresponsible and not political discourse. “This narrative provided by Congress serves only to aid the terrorists who killed Rashpal Kumar and Babbi Chand. Now, Pakistan’s propaganda machine will use Karra’s statement to tarnish the Indian Army’s reputation,” he remarked.

The opposition leader underscored that soldiers, SPOs, and Village Defense Groups (VDGs) are working hard to secure challenging areas like Warwan, Dachhan, and Marwah while searching for the killers. He accused Congress of undermining their morale. “While Congress accuses others of communalizing this incident, it is actually Congress that is sowing confusion and distrust between the public and the security forces,” Sharma asserted.

He called for Karra to retract his statement immediately and apologize to the families of the martyrs, the Jammu and Kashmir police, and the Indian Army. He urged Congress leadership to clarify whether they stand with the security forces or with the rumors propagated by Karra.

Sharma concluded, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir stand firmly with our security forces. The terrorists involved in this cowardly act will be tracked down and brought to justice.”