Srinagar: Security Agencies have launched a massive manhunt after the abduction and killing of an army soldier Aurangzeib whose dead body was recovered hours after his abduction in South Kashmir.
Jammu Kashmir Police believes the involvement of Army soldier turned militant Zahoor Ahmed Thokar in the abduction and killing of Aurangzeib.
Zahoor, a territorial Army soldier decamped with a rifle in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district in July 2017 and later on joined militant outfit Hizbul Mujhadeen.
Zahoor Thokar, of 173 of Territorial Army, had taken away one AK-47 rifle and three magazines from his camp in Gantmulla area of Baramulla district.
A top police official told Kashmir News Trust that initial investigation has revealed Zahoor was the brain behind the abduction and killing of Army soldier Aurangzeib.
A video has gone viral which shows Aurangzeib minutes before his death allegedly confessing his role in the killing of couple of militants.
“Aurangzeib was a versatile soldier who participated in number of counter insurgency operations. In fact, he was very close to top army brass and a key to generate human intelligence,” said an official on condition of anonymity.
According to reports, Aurangzeib who hails from Chenab Valleys Poonch region was right hand of Major Shukla and a known figure at Shadimarg based Army Camp.
Shukla was seriously injured in the initial exchange of fire between militants at Drabgam Shopian that claimed the life of top Hizb Commander Sameer Tiger. Aurangzeib was also part of that encounter.
“The killing of Aurangzeib is a set back to Army. He was active and expert in dealing with militants”
If sources are to be believed, Aurangzeib was allowed to groom his beard and hair to mix with local population. He looked more a militant than an army soldier.
Though some citizens expressed grief the way he was murdered but majority of them accused him of misusing his position. “You don’t know how cruel Aurangzeib was. He was habitual of harassing and abusing common people. He even targeted elderly people,” wrote a netizen on Twitter.
Some citizens accused both Shukla and Aurangzeib for pushing youth to wall. “Both were known for terrorizing people. Even, locals once registered a case against them at a local police station charging them for unnecessary harassment,” wrote another netizen.
A police official confirmed that locals had registered a complaint against Major Shukla and his party for harassment.
Kashmir News Trust.