Missing Kashmiri scholar joined militant ranks, says IGP Vijay Kumar

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday said the missing PhD scholar from Ganderbal district has joined Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit. Hilal Ahmad, a PhD scholar had gone missing according to his family and friends from Naranag(Wangat) area during a trekking and picnic outing.

Srinagar:Police on Tuesday revealed that a PhD scholar, who went missing from Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district since June 14, has joined the militant ranks.

While responding to ETV Bharat's question about the missing PhD scholar, IGP (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar confirmed that Hilal Ahmad belonging to Bemina area in Srinagar district has joined the militant ranks.

The IGP was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a wreath-laying ceremony to honour the CRPF trooper killed during an encounter with the militants in Pulwama district earlier in the day in which two militants were also killed.

Hilal Ahmad (27), a PhD scholar had gone missing according to his family and friends from Naranag(Wangat) area during a trekking and picnic outing.

While Hilal's friends had proceeded to the Gangabal lake on the foot of the Harmukh mountain, Hilal had decided to wait at Naranag for the return of his friends. When his friends returned, they said Hilal had gone missing.

Relatives of Hilal Ahmad held a protest in Srinagar on Monday seeking government help to trace the missing youth.

According to the reports, Hilal's parents have died many years ago and he was raised by his brother Irshad.

Irshad had told ETV Bharat on Monday that they were mentally traumatized after his disappearance.

“My brother has no links to militancy or any such related activity. I appeal all the security forces and other agencies to release my brother if they have found him,” he had said.

With inputs from IANS