, Oct. 16 -- KISHTWAR: A Special Police Officer (SPO), who went missing along with his service rifle in Kishtwar district, was found dead near his residence, officials said on Friday.

A senior police officer told KNO, that the officer was posted at Pedil police post since 2025 and had gone missing from his post along with his service self-loading rifle (SLR) and a magazine, following which police and security forces launched a search operation.

The official said the SPO's body was today found near his residence and the service rifle was also recovered. A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team reached the spot, while the cause of death remains unclear and an investigation is underway, the official said.

The deceased was identified as Ba...