If killed, hand over body: Jawan’s father to militants

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 8

Days after a Territorial Army jawan went missing in south Kashmir, his father has appealed to militants to forgive and release him or if they have killed his son, hand over the body to the family.

Rifleman Shakir Manzoor (24) of Rishipora Shopian was abducted on August 2 after he left his home for his place of posting in Balapora Shopian. His car was later found torched in neighbouring Kulgam district.

His father Manzoor Ahmed, in a video appeal, said: “If he is alive, do forgive him. If he has died, please give his body. That is our right.... My son was in the Army. It is your job to fight them (Army). I have no complaints against you if you have killed him, but I will have a complaint if his body is not returned.”

On Friday, panic spread at Shakir’s village after his family found his torn clothes with blood stains at three places in an orchard near his home. The recovery of these clothes triggered fears in his family about his fate.

Security forces have been carrying out searches to locate the soldier, but to no avail. He had joined the Army in 2018.

Was abducted on Aug 2

On August 2, Rifleman Shakir Manzoor, 24, was dragged out of his car and abducted by militants. His car was later found torched in Kulgam district. Shakir had joined the Territorial Army in 2018.