Jammu, 05 April (H.S.): The family members, relatives and the local villagers in Kalakote area today held protest, following the report about alleged abduction of a bus conductor by some unidentified persons.

According to the family members of the missing conductor-Aftab Khan (alias Kapil), he was working as conductor with a bus traveling towards Jammu on Friday, En route, four masked individuals traveling in a car intercepted the bus, forcibly took him away, and fled the scene. The conductor’s mother stated that on Friday evening, her son somehow managed to contact her via phone, informing her that some masked men were beating him up and took him away to an unknown location; immediately thereafter, his phone went off and there has been no contact with him since.

This incident has caused grave anxiety among the family members and colleagues of the victim. Joined by fellow villagers, the victim’s family members blocked Kalakote-Siot Road for several hours. The protest caused significant traffic disruption, leaving vehicles stranded on both sides of the road. The protesters demanded the safe return of the missing conductor and swift action against the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, SDPO Kalakote Surinder Mohan, Tehsildar Kalakote Manik Singh Rathore and SHO Vikram Singh of the Dharamsal Police Station arrived at the scene and attempted to pacify the protesters. They assured the demonstrators that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Akhnoor Police Station, where a formal case has been registered and a thorough investigation has already been initiated.

They further stated that a search operation is currently underway, and all possible angles-including abduction-are being actively investigated. The roadblock was subsequently lifted following the assurances by the officials.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar