Soldier missing in Kashmir, may have been kidnapped

A search operation was launched on Monday to trace a Territorial Army jawan who is suspected to have been abducted by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, an army spokesperson said.

Rifleman Shakir Manzoor of 162 Battalion (TA) went missing on Sunday and his vehicle was found abandoned and burnt in south Kashmir's Kulgam, he said.

It is suspected that the soldier, a resident of neighbouring Shopian district, has been abducted by terrorists, the spokesperson said.

The army has launched an operation to trace him, he added.