Missing Srinagar youth from Natipora joins militant ranks

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

A young boy, identified as Bilal Manzoor Bhat son of Manzoor Ahmad, along with another friend Irfan Ahmad Sofi son of Nazir Ahmad Sofi, both residents of Natipora area of Srinagar, went missing on December 14, 2020, the day when militants shot dead a PSO of a PDP leader at Natipora.

After disappearance, missing reports were lodged at Police Post Chanapora, according to his family.

On Monday afternoon, an audio message purportedly of Bilal went viral on social media, which announced his joining into militant ranks.

In the audio message, Bilal Manzoor can be heard saying to his parents “Don’t search for me as I have chosen the way of Allah and am safe.”

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

Pertinently, Saqib’s video also went viral on social media, which had also announced his joining into militant ranks last month.