Jammu-Kashmir: Two Indian Army Soldiers Abducted By Terrorists During Recce Mission; One Escaped, Another Found Dead

The body of an Indian Army soldier, who was abducted by militants from the Kokernag forests in South Kashmir a day earlier, was recovered by the security forces during a search operation on Wednesday (9 October) morning.

Police sources confirmed that the body was found in a forested area of South Kashmir. The 26-year-old soldier was a resident of Anantnag district, according to security officials.

Earlier in the day, the Army’s Chinar Corps said that one soldier of the Territorial Army was reported missing and that a massive rescue and search operation was in progress.

Based on intelligence input, a joint counter-terrorist operation was launched by the Indian Army along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and other agencies in the Kazwan Forest of Kokernag on 8 October.

During the overnight operation, one soldier went missing. Jammu and Kashmir police sources revealed to Indian Express that the soldier was abducted by militants on Tuesday.

A senior police officer added that there had been reports of militant activity in the forest, prompting the Army to send two Territorial Army personnel to locate the site. Both soldiers were abducted by the militants.

According to sources, one of the two soldiers managed to escape. He was shot in the shoulder but ran to safety and was taken to the Army's 439 Field Hospital for treatment.

Both soldiers are locals and members of the 162 Battalion of the Territorial Army, according to police sources. They encountered three to four terrorists during their reconnaissance (recce) mission.