Jawan abducted in Valley, car set afire

Srinagar, August 3

An off-duty Territorial Army jawan was abducted and his car set ablaze by militants in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, officials said.

Rifleman Shakir Manzoor (24), a resident of Rishipora Shopian, was abducted while on way to his place of posting at Balapora, the headquarters of 12 Sector Rashtriya Rifles.

The car was found near Rambhama Nohama in neighbouring Kulgam district. “Rifleman Shakir Manzoor of 162 Battalion (TA) is missing since 5 pm yesterday. It is suspected that the soldier has been abducted by terrorists,” the Army said.

The eldest among three brothers, Shakir joined the Army in 2018. “He couldn’t visit on Eid, so he came home around 10 am yesterday and left at 4.30 pm in his car,” a family member said. — TNS