Militants release all abducted kin of J&K Policemen in south Kashmir

Srinagar: Militants have released all the family members of policemen, who were kidnapped by them at various places in south Kashmir on Thursday night.

The kidnapping spree by militants had come just a day after police arrested several dozen people, including father of two militant commanders Riyaz Naikoo and Lateef tiger, from south Kashmir. Naikoo's father was released on Friday evening.

At least 11 people, whose relatives were working in the Jammu and Kashmir Police, besides son of a CRPF jawan, were abducted since Thursday night, triggering panic among security force personnel living in the valley.  

Official sources told UNI that all those abducted by militants have been released. However, a police official said that they have to check whether those abducted had returned home safely or not.

Asserting that militants and forces victimizing each other's families is highly condemnable, Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said it marks a new low in our situation.

Ms Mufti, who is the former Chief Minister of the state, said families shouldn't become casualties and made to suffer for something they have little control over.

Hitting out at separatists over alleged selective outrage, National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah on Friday said he doesn't condone any families being harassed, but how about a word of condemnation for the harassment and worse still the kidnapping of families of Jammu and Kashmir personnel.

Five people, whose family members were working in the J&K police, were abducted by militants in Kulgam on Thursday night. Militants also picked up four family members of policemen in Pulwama. In Shopian, family member of a policeman was kidnapped after militants raided their house. Among those abducted included the brother of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) and a Sub Inspector (SI). (UNI)