A day after a policeman decamped with four service rifles from a sentry point in Central Kashmir, terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen on Sunday claimed that the policeman has joined their ranks along-with the assault rifles.
On Saturday, constable Syed Naved, resident of Nazneenpora village of Shopian district in south Kashmir deserted his duty at Food Corporation of India granary located at Nasrullah Pora in Central district Budgam.
Even as the security forces launched a massive manhunt to track down the deserter, the Hizbul claim has explained the motive behind Naved’s act.
Policeman and officers are under constant threat in south Kashmir from militants to the extent that the State police chief issued a formal advisory to the constabulary to avoid visiting their homes during the summer months.
Burhanuddin, a spokesman of Hizbul Muhahiddin told a local news agency that the policeman has “joined Hizb along with the four rifles”.
“Our field operational commander, Mehmood Ghaznavi has welcomed Syed Naveed for joining the organisation to fight Indian occupational forces in Kashmir,” the spokesman said.
Earlier, a police constable Naseer Ahmad Pandit deserted duty taking way service rifles in 2015. He was subsequently killed in an encounter a year later.
Around a hundred locals have joined terrorists ranks in Kashmir since last year, mostly during the uprising triggered by the killing of Hizbul leader Burhan Wani.