11 family members of policemen abducted

As many as 11 family members of six policemen have been kidnapped after midnight raids on Thursday by militants in south Kashmir’s Kulgam, Anantnag and Pulwama districts.

The kidnappings came on the day when National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Syed Shakeel Ahmad, son of militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen’s chief Syed Salahuddin, in connection with a case of terror funding.

According to sources in Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) police, the abductions are also in retaliation to detention of the father of top Kashmiri militant Riaz Naikoo. Naikoo’s father was arrested after militants killed four policemen on Wednesday and fled with their rifles.

In one of his videos that went viral on social media, Naikoo is seen threatening cops and their informers with dire consequences.

Reacting to the abductions, former J & K Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah said the development was “worrisome”.

“11 abductions! This is a very worrying reflection of the situation in the valley. What is worse is the selective outrage — people/leaders who are so vocal about alleged security force excesses are silent about these abductions,” Abdullah said.

Yesterday, a manhunt to trace the abducted persons was launched following a high-level security meeting.