Indian soldier Javed Wani goes missing in Kashmir. What we know so far

Javed Ahmed Wani, an Indian soldier officially posted in the Ladakh region, has reportedly gone missing from a market in Kashmir's Kulgam district on Saturday (July 29). A resident of Achathal area of Kulgam, Javed had come home for Eid and was due to return to duty on Monday.

According to his family members, he went to a market in Chowalgam to buy some grocery items. When he did not return till late at night, his family began searching for him. They found his car in the Paranhall area around 8 pm, with blood stains on it.

The family alleges that Javed has been kidnapped by militants, but the police have not verified this claim.

Mother's plea for his safe return

In a heartfelt video, Javed's mother appealed for her son's release, expressing her anguish and stating that her son is young and innocent. She pleaded, "If he has done anything wrong, I seek forgiveness."

Acc to the family,25-year-old soldier,who had come back home on leave, was kidnapped from his vehicle in J&K's Kulgam ;they are appealing to set him free.
Acc to reports,Javed Ahmad Wani, an Indian Army personnel,was posted in Leh (Ladakh) and went missing around 8 pm on Saturday pic.twitter.com/VnHw3LNFHQ

— DD NEWS SRINAGAR (@ddnewsSrinagar) July 30, 2023

The family claims to have found a pair of slippers in the car that he had taken with him.

Police investigation ongoing

The police have initiated an investigation into Javed's disappearance, but so far, no terror outfit has claimed responsibility for the alleged kidnapping.

Fear of previous incidents

The family's fears stem from past incidents where Indian soldiers were abducted and murdered by militants. In 2017, a 22-year-old soldier from Kulgam was kidnapped from Shopian and later found murdered.

In 2018, a 25-year-old Sepoy from Poonch, Aunrangzeb, was abducted from Pulwama and killed. In 2020, territorial army soldier Shakir Manzoor Awagay was abducted from Shopian, and his body was discovered a year later in an orchard in Shopial.

In 2022, a 28-year-old soldier, Sameer Ahmad Malla, went missing from the Khag area of Central Kashmir, Bulgam district, and his body was later found by the police.

Father's appeal for his son's release

In the midst of fear for his son's safety, Javed Ahmed's father, Ayub Ahmed Wani, makes a heartfelt request to the abductors, promising that his son will quit his job if they desire. "I appeal to all the brothers to let him go alive. If he has troubled anyone, I apologize for that. If they want, I will get him to quit his job as well," says Javed's father.

As the investigation continues, the Jammu and Kashmir police are yet to release any official statement regarding Javed's abduction. The family and the community await news of his safe return with bated breath.