Off-Duty Jawan Goes Missing in Kulgam, Burnt Car Retrieved

Militants have targeted off-duty jawans in the past as well.

File photo of Rifleman Shakir Manzoor.

(Photo Courtesy: Guardians_of_the_Nation/Twitter)

Rifleman Shakir Manzoor, of 162 Batalliaon, went missing missing in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Sunday, 2 August. While a manhunt for him is underway, his car was retrieved in a burnt state on Monday.

Tweeting under the hashtag “Terrorism Free Kashmir”, the Army said:

“Rifleman Shakir Manzoor of 162 Battalion (TA), is missing since 1700hrs yesterday. His abandoned burnt car has been found near Kulgam. It is suspected that the soldier has been abducted by terrorists. Search op in progress. (sic)“

https://twitter.com/ChinarcorpsIA/status/1290239373884104704

The news comes just two days before the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.

The burnt car of the jawan has been recovered.

Search Operation

A search operation, with sniffer dogs and drones, is reportedly being conducted by the police in Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag districts, reported NDTV.

According to the NDTV report, Manzoor’s family has issued an appeal for his safe return and that he may not be harmed.

A senior security reportedly official told The Tribune:

“He was on leave and was heading home to Rishipora for Eid when his car was intercepted by gunmen. He was immediately abducted and they also burnt his car,”

Militants in the past have frequently targeted off-duty jawans, mostly in the southern parts of Kashmir.

(With inputs from NDTV, The Tribune)