New Delhi: A soldier, Rifleman Abid Bhat, who was returning to his duty after his holiday in Chittergul area of Kashmir’s Anantnag, has gone missing, authorities reported on Sunday. Bhat had left his home on Saturday to report to his camp in Rangreth, but didn’t arrive at the designated location.
Military officials became concerned when Bhat did not report for duty, and a missing persons complaint was filed with local police. A Deccan Herald report mentioned an official confirming the incident, “The soldier left his residence in Chittergul on Saturday, but did not arrive at his designated camp as expected. A complaint has been registered, and we are actively looking into the situation.”
Circumstances of Bhat’s disappearance remain unclear
While the circumstances of Bhat’s disappearance remain unclear, such incidents have occurred in the the recent past in Kashmir. Several soldiers on leave have been abducted by terrorists.
One of the most recent incidents occurred in October last year when the bullet-ridden body of a Territorial Army soldier was found by security forces. He was allegedly abducted by terrorists in Anantnag. The case followed a similar pattern of abductions involving soldiers in Kashmir, particularly in areas such as Shopian, Kulgam, and Budgam.
In August 2023, another soldier went missing while on leave in Kulgam but was later found by authorities. In 2019, a soldier named Yasin Bhat narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt at his home in Budgam.
When another soldier went missing
Another major incident in October 2024 involved Rifleman Hilal Ahmad Bhat, who was kidnapped during a search operation in Anantnag’s forests. A joint search operation was carried out by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and other security agencies. Bhat’s body was later found in the Kazwan Forest.
“Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the brave heart, Rifleman Hilal Ahmad Bhat, in line of duty for the nation. His courage and dedication will forever inspire us. Indian Army expresses deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with the bereaved family,” Chinar Corps of the Army posted on X.
