Tue Mar 18 19:30:00 UTC 2025: ## J&K Government Orders Judicial Inquiry into Mysterious Deaths of Two Brothers

**Srinagar, March 19, 2025** – The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced a judicial inquiry into the mysterious deaths of two brothers and the disappearance of a third young man from Kulgam district. The three, all members of the Gujjar tribe, went missing on February 13th after leaving for a wedding. The bodies of brothers Mohammad Showkat Bajad and Riyaz Ahmad Bajad were recovered last week from Vaishow Nallah. Mukhtar Ahmad remains missing.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhary, along with Education Minister Sakina Ittoo and Chief Minister’s advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, visited the victims’ families to express condolences and announce the inquiry. The government also pledged monetary assistance and employment for three women from the affected families.

While the post-mortem suggests drowning, local residents are dissatisfied with the police investigation and have staged protests demanding a thorough probe. Legislators from various parties, including the ruling National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, and Congress, also voiced their concerns in the Assembly, demanding a comprehensive investigation and action against a police officer accused of assaulting protesting women. The incident has raised concerns about a worrying trend of missing youth in the region, following similar incidents in Kathua. The government has pledged to uncover the truth behind the deaths, whether accidental, intentional, or due to another cause.

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