A soldier with the 173 Battalion of the Territorial Army is believed to have decamped with his service rifle – an AK-47 – and ammunition from his Gantmulla area camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla, PTI reported on Thursday.
The jawan has been identified as Sepoy Zahoor Ahmad Thokar, a resident of Pulwama’s Sirnoo area. “Thokar deserted the Army on the intervening night of July 5 and July 6,” an unidentified official told The Hindu. “He ran away with his service assault rifle and three magazines.”
The Army has launched a manhunt to find the soldier, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have issued an alert to all check posts in the Valley.
Officials suspect that Thokar may have joined the militancy, reports said. They have doubts that he may have joined the Hizbul Mujahideen, according to India Today.
The news comes days before the first death anniversary of former Hizbul chief Burhan Wani on July 8.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!