Army Soldier In Budgam Escaped Abduction As Family Scuffled With Militants

Srinagar: Family members of soldier Yasin Bhat who was believed to have been abducted Friday night had in fact managed to escape from his house at village Qazipora in Budgam district after they scuffled with militants who had barged into his house to kidnap him, the family said.

He reached the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) centre in the morning
Family members of Yasin Bhat said that during the scuffle with unknown gunmen, Bhat ran away from his house and militants followed him and his family members had thought that he was abducted.

After the family raised an alarm some of the villagers had informed police and the army about the incident. One gunman is said to have entered the house while two others were outside.

Yasin’s relatives said that it was around midnight when the soldier who was hiding somewhere in the village returned home.

On Friday local police officials had also confirmed that soldier has been abducted by militants from his house at Qazipora in Chadoora in Budgam district.

However, in the morning, Ministry of Defence released a statement terming the abduction of soldier as incorrect.

“Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided,’’ defence spokesman tweeted.

Ghulam Mohammad Bhat father of Yasin said that around 8 to 8:30 pm on Friday night when he was sitting inside his house with his son two daughters and wife and a nephew, a gunman forcibly entered the house from the rear.

“He (the gunman) was looking for my soldier son. My daughters along with my wife intercepted him and I opened the front door of my house and started shouting for help. My family members had a scuffle with the gunman and it was then when my son got a chance and ran away and the gunman followed him,’’ he said adding that they had come to take him away.

Bhat said that soon the villagers came to my house. “I don’t know what happened to my son.’’

Another relative, Farooq Ahmad said that after four hours Yasin Bhat returned to his home. “The army and police had already left the place. We then took him to JAKLI centre at Rangreth and he is currently at his unit.’’

Another relative Manzoor Ahmad said that three persons had come to abduct him last night. “It was the resistance from the family members which saved him.”

Yasin Bhat is presently posted in Uttrakhand and according to his family had joined army in 2015. He had come home on February 25 on leave.

Inspector General of Police S P Pani said that they are ascertaining the details about the incident. (HT)