There was still no trace of Territorial Army (TA) rifleman after he was abducted by suspected militants on Sunday evening in south Kashmir, where his cloths were found in an orchard on Friday, when sniffer dogs were also pressed into service.

Meanwhile, father of the rifleman appealed for the release of his son. If he has been killed at least give me the body of my son, father further appealed.

Official sources said that security forces are already working to trace the missing rifleman Shakir Manzoor of 162 TA. However, so far no breakthrough was achieved, they said.

They said sniffer dogs were also pressed into service after torn cloths of rifleman were recovered from an orchard Landoora, Shopian, on Friday.

  Sources said rifleman Manzoor was reported missing since 1700 hrs on Sunday. However, his abandoned burnt car was later found at Rambhama Kulgam same evening,they said adding it is suspected that the soldier has been abducted by militants.

 Sources said Shakir, who had come to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha with family, had left his home at Harmain Shopian Sunday evening in the car. However, when he did not return back, police was informed and a massive hunt was launched to trace him.

 This is not the first time soldiers who had come on leave to celebrate festivals or other social gatherings with their were abducted by militants in south Kashmir. However, some of them were released while others were killed.

Army officer Lieutenant Umar Fayaz was abducted and later killed by militants in May 2017 in Shopian in south Kashmir.

The Army authorities had directed all soldiers from Kashmir to take extra precautions when they visit home on leave.