Srinagar, Aug 4: Security agencies remained clueless so far about the whereabouts of Rifleman of Territorial Army (TA) who was abducted by suspected militants in Shopian on Sunday evening when he was driving his vehicle, which was later recovered in damaged condition (burnt) in Kulgam.
So far there was also no response to appeal by the family members of the soldier seeking his release.
Official sources said security forces and police personnel alongwith intelligence agencies had launched searches to trace the missing rifleman of 162 TA Shakir Manzoor, a resident of Harmain Shopian. However, there was no clue about Manzoor, who had come to his home to celebrate Eid-u-Adha with family members, sources said on Tuesday. We are on the job and working on different directions to trace the missing soldier, they said.
A defence ministry spokesman said on Monday that soldier Manzoor is missing since 1700 hrs on Sunday. However, his abandoned burnt car was later found near Kulgam, he said adding it is suspected that the soldier has been abducted by militants.
He said massive searches have been launched to trace the missing soldier.
Sources said Shakir had left his home at Harmain Shopian Sunday evening in the car. However, when he did not return, police was informed and a massive hunt was launched to trace him.
They said the burnt car of Shakir was later recovered at Rambhama in Kulgam.
Meanwhile, family members of soldier have appealed to abductor to release him on humanitarian grounds.