Cop Abducted by Militants in Tral released

A cop, who was abducted by the militants from Tral on July 27, was released in the wee hours of July 28.

Special Police Officer (SPO) Mudasir Ahmad lone, a resident of Chankatar Tralvillage of South Kashmir’s Pulwama was posted at ReshiporaAwantipora police post where he works as a cook.

Soon after the news spread about the abduction of the cop, a video by the family of the abducted officer went viral on social media, in which they appealed to the militants asking for his release without causing him any harm because he is the only son and main breadwinner of the family.

On the evening of the same day, militants released a video of duration five minutes and six seconds of the abducted cop.

“We are being fooled by the police. In the beginning,police have told us to work in traffic controlling department, but later they asked us to keep a watch on the movements of Muahadeenand the stone pelters. Hizbul Mujahedeen(HM) have already spread the posters in which they asked all the SPOsto leave their job within the time of 15 days. A day back I saw the poster but I thought that it’s the prank done by the local guys. I am very lucky that HM is setting me free,” Mudasir says in the video.

In the video, a purported militant, whose only voice is present in the video, says, “We kidnapped you only for the purpose of killing you. That will be done to every SPO who will not return till Friday. We are forgiving you only because you have three sisters and parents. You are the only hope of the family. Don’t misunderstand and think that we are releasing you under some pressure. Deliver my message to the Deputy Superintendentof Police Ajaz and Commandant Officer Niraj Pandey. Tell them that we know how to answer a brick with a stone.”

A police officer has confirmed to the Global News Servicethat the abducted cop hasreturned to his home.

Since June 14, this is the third case of the abduction. Mudasir is the first police officer who was released alive by the militants. Previously, on June 14, an army man namely Auranzaebwas abducted by the militantsfrom Pulwama district. He was stationed with 44 RashtriyaRifles(RR).Thebullet-riddendead bodyof the army man was recovered next day.

Another abduction hadoccurred in south Kashmir's Shopian district on July 5 – of a cop who was posted as constable namely Saleem Shah. His dead body with multiple bullets and tortures marks was recovered later.

While speaking to the reporters on July 28 about the abduction of policemen, Director General of Police (DGP) S.P Vaid said that police have released the advisory for the safety of the cops.