Poonch missing girl found dead in river; Jammu and Kashmir Police set up SIT

A 12-year-old girl, Ikra Firdous, missing since May 30 from Adhai village in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, was found dead in a river near Sathra. Police registered an FIR under kidnapping provisions, deployed multiple search teams, and constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate the circumstances of her death.

A 12-year-old girl who was missing for five days was found dead in a river in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district. The case triggered public concern and led police to set up a Special Investigation Team, or SIT. Police said the investigation moved quickly after the family reported the disappearance and filed a complaint.

The girl was identified as Ikra Firdous, a resident of Adhai village in Poonch’s Mandi area. Ikra Firdous went missing on May 30, police said. After the complaint, police registered a case under relevant kidnapping provisions. Officers then began a search across Mandi and nearby areas.

Special Investigation Team SIT in Poonch case

Amid protests and wider attention, police constituted an SIT on June 4. The SIT was headed by the DSP Headquarters, Poonch. Deputy Superintendent of Police Headquarters, Poonch, Neeraj Sharma said teams were formed to handle the case with priority. Police also asked people to avoid sharing unverified claims online.

Sharma said search work began soon after police got inputs on the girl’s possible location. "Considering the seriousness of the matter, an FIR was immediately registered and investigation was set into motion. Several police teams were constituted and extensive searches were conducted in different areas,\" Sharma said. Police said the teams checked several locations across the district.

Special Investigation Team SIT uses digital evidence

Police said the SIT has worked continuously since being formed. \"Numerous digital devices have been examined and technical evidence, including tower dumps and call detail records, is being analysed. Relatives and other suspected individuals have also been questioned as part of the investigation,\" he said. Sharma said information shared by residents was also being verified.

Police said they received information on June 3 about a body in a river near Sathra. Officers went to the spot and took custody of the body. Family members later confirmed the body was Ikra Firdous, police said. The recovery added urgency to the probe and intensified calls for accountability.

Special Investigation Team SIT awaits post-mortem report

Police said the body was moved to a hospital for examination. A board of doctors carried out a detailed post-mortem before the body was released for last rites. Sharma said early medical findings did not show sexual assault. \"According to the initial examination report received from the hospital, no signs of sexual abuse have been found. However, multiple samples collected from the body have been sent for forensic examination and the final post-mortem report is awaited,\" he said.

After the death became known, girl students and local residents protested in different parts of Poonch. Demonstrators demanded justice and strict action against those responsible. Police said all leads were being checked, including information from the public. Sharma urged anyone with credible details to share them directly with the SIT.

With inputs from PTI