Militants abduct soldier in Pulwama

A soldier at the Sunjwan camp A soldier takes up position at the Sunjwan camp | PTI

The militants have abducted a Indian Army soldier in Kalampora area of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.

The soldier, who has been identified as Aurangzeb, a rifleman of 44 Rashtriya Rifles, was on his way home in Poonch to celebrate Eid with his family when he was picked up by the militants.

According to sources, the militants intercepted the private vehicle in which he was travelling at Mughal Road in Pulwama and abducted him. According to reports, the soldier was accompanied by a friend.

Aurangzeb had taken part in the operation in which Hizbul Mujahideen militant Sameer Tiger was killed on April 30.

Pulwama's SSP Muhammad Aslam Choudhary said the soldier was abducted at Shadimarg when he was going home to celebrate Eid. ''The Army has launched a search operation to trace him,'' he said.

Sources in Pulwama said Army has detained some people for questioning and launched a search operation at Drabgam to locate the soldier.

Army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia confirmed the reports of abduction.

Last year, militants abducted Army Lieutenant Umer Fayaz from his uncle's home in Shopian on May 10. He was found dead the next day morning.