Reports of jawan's abduction from home are untrue: Defense Ministry
What's the story
The Defense Ministry, in a tweet, clarified the army jawan, who was reported to have been kidnapped by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, is safe.
On Friday, distressing reports about the jawan's abduction from his home at Qazipora in Budgam emerged.
Reacting on reports, the Defense Ministry advised not to believe in speculations. The jawan is on leave and unharmed.
Here's more.
Rumors
Looking at what the reports claimed
The jawan was identified as Mohammad Yaseen Bhat of the J&K Light Infantry. Currently, he is posted with JAKLI brigade in Dehradun. Bhat returned to his home on February 26, for a month-long leave.
According to reports, armed terrorists stormed his home and took him away last evening.
The misleading speculations also claimed police and army teams launched a search operation to find him.
Twitter Post
Speculations should be avoided: MoD
Clarification. Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided.@PMOIndia @nsitharaman @DefenceMinIndia @PIB_India @adgpi
— Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) March 9, 2019
Past cases
In 2017, Ummer Fayaz was kidnapped and murdered
Rumors of Bhat's "abduction" by terrorists brought back haunting memories of a similar kidnapping.
In 2017, Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz was picked up from his uncle's home in Shopian, where he went to attend a wedding.
Terrorists affiliated to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen shot him and dumped his body. His brutal murder was termed as a "watershed" moment by the army.
Details
Last year, rifleman Aurangzeb was abducted
In June 2018, rifleman Aurangzeb was also kidnapped by terrorists when he was returning to his home, in Poonch, to celebrate Eid with family.
He had boarded a private vehicle to reach his home but was abducted in Pulwama. Hours later, Aurangzeb's bullet-ridden body was found.
The government felicitated the martyred soldier with the prestigious Shaurya Chakra award.
Pulwama attack
Reports of "abduction" came close on heels of Pulwama attack
Reports of Bhat's kidnapping came at a time when security is heightened in the northernmost state.
Last month, 40 CRPF soldiers were martyred in a terror attack in Pulwama, which was orchestrated by terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.
A suicide bomber, identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into one of the buses of the convoy, triggering a massive blast.