Militants abduct kin of 7 policemen in south Kashmir

Militants have abducted at least seven relatives of policemen from various places in south Kashmir, officials said today.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have condemned the abductions of kin of policemen.

Unconfirmed reports said the total number of kidnapped kin of cops has reached 11 but police said they were trying to ascertain reports of abductions.

"Some incidents of abduction have come to the notice of police in South Kashmir. We are ascertaining details and circumstances. In due course it shall be placed in public domain," a police spokesman said.

However, officials privy to the development, said that at least seven people, whose family members were working in the Jammu and Kashmir Police, have been picked up by militants last night from Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag and Awantipora.

The militants' action came on a day when the NIA arrested the second son of globally wanted terrorist Syed Salahuddin.

Militants kidnapped the nephew of a deputy superintendent of police from Trenz area in Shopian district, a police official said.

Adnan Ahmad Shah (26) was abducted by militants from his home late last night, the official said.

In another incident, son of a police officer was kidnapped by the ultras from his home in Wathoo village of Shopian, he said.

Yasir Bhat, whose father is presently in Hajj pilgrimage, was also kidnapped late last night.

The official did not divulge the details of other abductions.

Militants threatened to set afire the family home of a constable at Berthipora in Shopian, the official added.

Omar Abdullah today said the abduction of kin of policemen was a worrying reflection of the situation in the valley.

"11 abductions! This is a very worrying reflection of the situation in the valley," Omar wrote in a tweet.

The National Conference vice president also lashed out at those who are vocal in condemning the alleged excesses by security forces but have maintained silence about the abductions.

"What's worse is the selective outrage - people/leaders who are so vocal about alleged security force excesses are silent about these abductions," he said.

The PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said families of either militants or forces should not be made to suffer for something they have little control over.

Allegations were made that security forces went on the rampage on Wednesday after killing of four policemen in Shopian in south Kashmir and damaged some houses belonging to militants.

"Militants and forces victimising each other's families is highly condemnable and marks a new low in our situation. Families shouldn't become casualties and made to suffer for something they have little control over," Mehbooba wrote on Twitter.

In a related development, kin of a policeman, who was abducted from Ganderbal district in central Kashmir, was released after being mercilessly beaten up by militants.

--PTI