Four youth go missing from southern Kashmir

SRINAGAR — Four youth from south Kashmir districts of Shopian and Pulwama have gone missing for the last two weeks, according to reports reaching here.

Sources said that Amir Ahmed Malik son of Abdul Gaffar Malik, resident of Hadergund Zainapora Shopian, Shahnawaz Ahmad, resident of Samboora Pulwama, Umer Khanday son of Mushtaq Ahmad, resident of Tulbagh Pampore and Umer Malik, resident of Sugan Shopian have gone missing from last two weeks.

Sources said that Amir Ahmed Malik, 22, a resident of Haidergund in southern Shopian went missing from his home after he left from home to play cricket with his friend. The 16-year-old Umer Mushtaq, a Class 11th student, went missing in the last week of October. Umer Malik who is from Sugan area of Shopian has also gone missing in the last week of October.

A Police official said that they are investigating the incidents from all dimensions. “It is too early to comment if they have joined militant ranks,” he said.

Inspector General of Police (Kashmir), Vijay Kumar had earlier said that south Kashmir will be freed from militancy and focus will shift towards north Kashmir. However, reports of missing youth are continuously emerging from south Kashmir.