Missing Srinagar boy joins militant ranks as audio goes viral

SRINAGAR — A missing youth from central Kashmir’s Srinagar district has reportedly joined militant ranks.

The young boy, identified as Irfan Ahmad Sofi son of Nazir Ahmad Sofi, resident of Natipora area of Srinagar, went missing on December 14 this month, the day when militants shot dead a PSO of a PDP leader at Natipora. After disappearance, a missing report was lodged at Police Post Chanapora, according to his family.

On Thursday evening, an audio message purportedly of Saqib went viral on social media, which announced his joining into militant ranks.

In the audio message, Irfan can be heard asking his parents “not to search him as he has chosen the way of Allah and is safe.”

Meanwhile, a police official said that they are verifying the authenticity of the audio.