Soldier missing in Kulgam may have been abducted by militants, says army; burnt vehicle retrieved

New Delhi: A territorial Army personnel has gone missing and his vehicle was found burnt in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Monday. Rifleman Shakir Manzoor was part of the 162 Battalion had gone home to Shopian on leave. It is suspected that he has been abducted by terrorists, the army said. Tweeting under the hashtag #TerrorismFreeKashmir, the army said: “Rifleman Shakir Manzoor of 162 Battalion (TA), is missing since 5 pm 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.”

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.#TerrorismFreeKashmir #Kashmir@adgpi @NorthernComd_IA

— Chinar Corps🍁 - Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) August 3, 2020

The burnt vehicle, registered in the name of Manzoor, was found from Rambhama area of neighbouring Kulgam district. The officials said Manzoor serves in the Territorial Army and could not be contacted. They suspect that he might have been kidnapped by militants, adding that efforts were on to trace him. A search is on for him across Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag districts. The police are using drones and sniffer dogs, sources said.