TA Soldier Abducted by Terrorists in Anantnag

Synopsis: A Territorial Army (TA) soldier was abducted by terrorists in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces have launched a major search operation in the area after one of two kidnapped soldiers managed to escape. This incident has raised concerns over India's security, as such kidnappings have been increasing in South Kashmir in recent years.

Two soldiers were allegedly abducted from Shangus in Kokernag area of Anantnag district on Tuesday, however, one of them managed to escape.

TA Soldier Kidnapped from Anantnag, Massive Search Operation Launched

A Territorial Army (TA) soldier has been abducted in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. The search operations have been initiated on a massive scale. A TA soldier was abducted in the Shangus area of Kokernag on Tuesday, according to reports. Initially, two soldiers of the Territorial Army were abducted. However, one of them could escape.

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The Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have joined hands after the incident and have been sending their personnel to be stationed in the Anantnag forests to hunt for the missing soldier. Two TA soldiers were taken by terrorists in the forest region. One of them has returned, and the search for the other is on," said a source. Meanwhile, no word from the Indian Army on the matter yet.

Latest Abductions Endorse Growing Security Threats

It's not the first of its kind. Another soldier from Kulgam had gone missing since leaving his hometown in August 2023. He was reportedly traced later with his car found nearby bearing blood stains that made seem to grow further the security threat that runs currently in Kashmir. In 2019, another soldier in his name - Yasin Bhat - had narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt at his residence in Budgam. During the past eight years, over five soldiers have been kidnapped and murdered in Kashmir, mainly Shopian and Kulgam but an incident this year reported from Budgam.

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Raising security concerns for India

The recent spate of such incidents in Kashmir raises an alarm over India's security strategy in the region. Long-persistent targeting and abduction of soldiers point to the shifting nature of the threat landscape that is emerging, especially in southern Kashmir, where incidents are rampaging fastest. Security forces need to readjust their strategy accordingly to prevent such incidents in the future and secure their personnel deployed in these vulnerable areas.

With inputs from Agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies