Kashmir Impulse Desk

Budgam, May 24

Police detained four people for questioning after the abduction, rape, and murder of a minor girl in Budgam district, a crime that has triggered widespread outrage and grief across Kashmir days before Eid-ul-Adha.

The girl, from Galwanpora village in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, went missing on Saturday evening while on her way to a Darasgah, police said.

Her family reported her disappearance to Police Station Budgam at around 10 pm, prompting officers to register a case under relevant sections related to kidnapping and launch a search operation through the night.

Her body was recovered on Sunday at around 7:15 am from a site about 200 metres from her home, police said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Budgam Hariprasad K K said preliminary findings indicated the case appeared to involve rape and murder.

“At this stage, prima facie, it appears to be a case of rape and murder, and all relevant sections of law have been added,” Hariprasad told local media.

Police said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been constituted under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent of Police Headquarters Sajad Ahmad to investigate the killing.

Four suspects have been detained and are being interrogated, police said.

Tracker dogs were deployed in the area surrounding the recovery site, while investigators examined CCTV footage and questioned local residents as part of the probe.

“The investigation is at a preliminary stage, but this is our top priority. All available manpower and investigative resources have been dedicated to solving the case,” Hariprasad said.

The killing sparked protests in Galwanpora, with hundreds of residents gathering to demand swift action against those responsible. 

The demonstrators dispersed after local authorities assured them of a speedy investigation.

Scenes of mourning unfolded across the village after the body was recovered, with residents crowding narrow lanes near the family home as shops remained shut and normal activity came to a halt.

The crime has sent shockwaves across Kashmir, where Eid preparations were underway and markets had been crowded with shoppers buying clothes and sweets for the festival.

Instead, the killing dominated conversations in homes, marketplaces and online, with many residents saying the festive mood had been overshadowed by grief and fear.

“While buying Eid clothes for my daughter, I was moved to tears by this news. As a parent, I fear for the safety of all children here, including my own,” said Niyaz Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar.

Social media platforms were flooded with messages of condolence and anger, with many users demanding the harshest punishment for those responsible.

The killing has renewed concerns over the safety of women and children in Kashmir and revived debate over a recent rise in reported cases involving sexual violence, harassment and crimes against minors.

National Crime Records Bureau data shows Jammu and Kashmir recorded thousands of crimes against women between 2020 and 2024, including rape, offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, domestic violence and assault. 

The region reported 308 POCSO cases in 2024 alone.

Police appealed to the public and media not to disclose the identity of the minor victim or circulate photographs, citing legal protections for children.

Authorities also urged residents to avoid sharing unverified information or speculation that could affect the investigation.