Soldier on leave goes missing, mother pleads safe return

New Delhi : An Indian soldier - Javaid Ahmad Wani - had taken leave to visit his home town in Kulgam district of South Kashmir but he has gone missing under mysterious circumstances; the Army has started massive search operation under the fear of abduction by the militants. His mother, on the other hand, has appealed to ensure the safe return of her son.

According to media reports, the soldier went missing when he left for Chawalgam village, in Kulgam, to buy something. His car was found at Paranhal village, about 9 kms from his Achathal residence. The car was unlocked, it had Wani's slippers inside and some blood stains were also noticed inside the vehicle. 

A rifleman with the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, Wani was posted in Ladakh and had taken leave for Eid last month.

His mother fears that Wani has been abducted by the militants; she also released a video message in which she said, "He is innocent and young. If he has committed any wrongdoing, I ask for forgiveness on his behalf."

Meanwhile, Wani's father said that he was supposed to join work back on Monday.

A massive search operation was launched by the Army and paramilitary personnel soon after learning about the incident.

Previously, there have been instances where militants abducted and fatally harmed security personnel who were on leave and at their homes. For example, in March of the previous year, a soldier named Sameer Ahmad Malla was kidnapped from his residence in Khag village, Shopian. Tragically, his lifeless body was discovered in a nearby village three days later.