The Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces were on a tenterhook after the family of a labourer claimed that he was kidnapped by terrorists. A massive combing operation was launched in the forests of Kalakote area in search of the labourer, who has now returned home. Police are questioning him. Identifying the missing person as Sanjay Kumar of village Saroh, sources said that searches followed verbal information from his family members that he has been kidnapped by terrorists. Pointing out that he had left home around 7.15 am, his uncle Yashpal told police that he had left home for coal mines at Moghla as usual. However, two hours later he received a call from him that he has been kidnapped by 2-3 terrorists who have been asking him to show the way. Thereafter, his mobile phone has got switched off, Yashpal said, adding that he received a second call after an hour saying that they have now crossed Bhandari and were on way to Metka near Moghla. Since then, his phone has been switched off, he added. Rajouri SSP Dr Haseeb Drabu admitted that police and security forces have launched searches in Moghla and Taryath areas of Kalakote, but expressed his reservations over the veracity of family's claims about the abduction of Sanjay by terrorists. The missing person was a labourer who enroute to Moghla coal mines had called his uncle and during conversation, he said that two-three people have come and thereafter the contact got lost, he added. He may have gone on his own with them or his mobile may have developed some problem, he said, adding that `we have asked the family to lodge a written complaint, but nothing has been received from them so far’’. The searches were in progress till reports last came in.
