Abducted J&K Soldier Found Dead in Anantnag District

Security forces have found the body of a Territorial Army (TA) soldier in Anantnag district, South Kashmir. The soldier, Hilal Ahmad Bhat, was reported missing on Tuesday after being abducted by terrorists. His bullet-riddled body was discovered in the Sanglan forest area of Utrasoo.

A major search operation had been launched to find him. The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army stated that a joint counter-terrorist operation was initiated on October 8, based on intelligence reports. This operation involved the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and other agencies.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern in the region. Over the past eight years, more than five soldiers have been abducted and killed in various parts of Kashmir, especially in the Shopian and Kulgam areas. In 2022, a similar incident occurred in Budgam.

In a related case from earlier in 2023, another soldier from Kulgam went missing while on leave but was later found by police. That soldier, known as Wani, disappeared near his home in Asthal, Kulgam, after leaving to buy food items before returning to Ladakh for duty.