Kashmir Cop who went missing surfaces online with AK47

Ishfaq Ahmad Dar, who was posted at Police Training Centre in Kathua district in the state, was reported missing after he failed to return from his leave on Monday.

A picture of a Jammu and Kashmir policeman holding an AK-47 assault rifle has gone viral on social media, confirming reports that he has joined a terrorist organisation, police sources have said.

Ishfaq Ahmad Dar, who was posted at Police Training Centre in Kathua district in the state, was reported missing after he failed to return from his leave on Monday.

Police sources have confirmed to NDTV that Dar has joined Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

“Ishfaq Ahmed had gone on leave from PTC Kathua. He was supposed to report back on October 23 but failed to return. We will take legal action against him,” a senior officer of PTC Kathua was quoted by news agency Press Trust of India.

A resident of Heff Shirmal village in southern Shopian, Ahmed joined the police in 2012, the official said.

In the last two years, around half-a-dozen policemen have deserted the force and joined militancy in Kashmir.