Families of two Gurez youth detained in POK appeal for release

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, June 14

Families of two youth from Gurez, who were arrested in Pakistan on the charges of spying on Saturday, claimed the duo was innocent and appealed India and Pakistan to ensure their release.

On Friday, a Police officer in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir who identified himself as SSP Gilgit said they detained Feroz Ahmed Lone, 29, and Noor Mohamamd Wani, 24, both residents of Achoora in Bandipora’s Gurez for spying. In the video that surfaced on YouTube, the two, who are blindfolded, confessed that they were sent to Pakistan for spying.

A day after the video went viral on social media, the families of two missing Gurez youth said their children were innocent the two were not spying.

In a video message father of Feroz Abdul Rahim Lone said his son is missing since 2018.

“My son was working in a block development office and in 2018 went missing. His whereabouts were not known. Now a video surfaced yesterday that showed that he is under Pakistan Army custody who is accusing him of spying. This is not true. I am appealing with my folded hands to both the countries to return my son,” Rahim Lone said

Bashir Ahmad Wani, uncle of Noor Mohammad Wani, said that his nephew was working as a labourer and he went missing in 2015.

“The video statement that they were sent by Indian army for spying, I believe they have been forced to make such a statement.  They are innocent and not involved in any such act. We have no idea how they reached Pakistan,” Bashir said in a separate video message.

He also appealed the government of two countries to ensure the release of the duo.

Bandipora SP Rahul Malik said only one of the two families had filed a missing person’s report in 2018.