J&K Police Locate Missing Territorial Soldier
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Synopsis
On February 2, the Jammu and Kashmir Police successfully located a missing territorial soldier, Abid Hussain Bhat, after he failed to report for duty. His disappearance had raised concerns due to past abductions of soldiers in the region, but officials confirmed there was no link to militancy.
Key Takeaways
- Soldier Abid Hussain Bhat was traced by police after going missing.
- He failed to report for duty on February 1.
- There is no militancy connection to his disappearance.
- Concerns had risen due to previous abductions of soldiers.
- The police are conducting an inquiry into the incident.
Srinagar, Feb 2 (NationPress) A territorial soldier who had gone missing was successfully located by the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday, as confirmed by officials.
According to an official, the soldier from the Territorial Army had disappeared while traveling from his home in Chattergul village of Anantnag district to Rangreth Srinagar, where he was due to return to duty after a month's leave.
The missing soldier, Abid Hussain Bhat, son of Abdul Gani from Kharpora Chittergul Anantnag Uttersoo, was expected to report for duty on February 1 in Rangreth Srinagar.
However, he failed to show up for duty, and his mobile phone was turned off.
The police traced him on Sunday evening and are currently conducting an inquiry. Officials have indicated that there is no connection to militancy in this situation.
Concerns had grown following the soldier's disappearance while traveling between his home and duty station, particularly given past incidents where army personnel were kidnapped by terrorists in the southern regions of Kashmir, leading to tragic outcomes.
The recovery of Abid Hussain Bhat has alleviated these worries.
Historically, several soldiers on leave have been taken hostage by militants, with some tragically losing their lives.
For instance, on October 9, 2024, the security forces discovered the bullet-ridden body of a Territorial Army soldier who had been kidnapped by terrorists in Anantnag. This incident added to a troubling trend of soldier abductions in Kashmir.
Earlier, in August 2023, a soldier went missing while on leave in Kulgam district but was later located by police.
In 2019, another soldier, Yasin Bhat, narrowly escaped an attempt to abduct him at his home in Qazipora, Budgam.
Over the last nine years, more than five soldiers have been kidnapped and murdered in various regions of Kashmir, primarily in the Shopian and Kulgam districts of southern Kashmir.
