As per his family members, Wani drove to nearby Chawalgam village around 7:30 pm to buy groceries and mutton. At around 8 pm, he informed the family on phone that he will be home within 5-10 minutes. Around 8:30 pm, some neighbours informed the family that his car was abandoned near their orchard in the village.
“His Alto vehicle (JK-18B 7201) was abandoned near our orchard. The car was unlocked and we saw mutton, banana and one slipper inside the car. There were some blood stains as well,” said Muhammad Ayoub Wani, father of the missing soldier.
The armed forces have launched a massive search operation for Wani in Kulgam and nearby areas, which continued till late Sunday evening.
The Army said this is an ongoing operation and details will be shared as and when there is any development.
Wani’s family suspects that he may have been kidnapped by militants and appealed for his safe return. “Kindly let him go. If he has done something wrong, we seek forgiveness on his behalf. He will also resign from the job. Just let him go without any harm,” said Asadullah Wani, uncle of the missing soldier. Scores of relatives, neighbours and residents of nearby areas gathered at Wani’s residence on Sunday, pleading for his safe return. In the past, militants have abducted off-duty Army and policemen, especially in southern and central Kashmir. In March 2022, Lashkar-e-Taiba abducted and killed Army man Sameer Ahmad Malla, whose body was found in an orchard in Budgam. In 2021, a decomposed body of Army man Shakir Manzoor of Shopian was recovered from Kulgam area more than a year after his abduction.
