Young footballer from Sopore in north Kashmir missing for a week

at 8:04 pm
Amir Siraj, the missing youth

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A 22-year-old footballer from Sopore in Baramulla district of north Kashmir is missing since June 24 and his family members have appealed to the J&K police to help in tracing him.

On June 24, Amir Siraj left his maternal uncle’s home in a Sopore village, as usual, to play a football match in a nearby playfield. However, he had a change of mood and decided not to play, taking his mates by surprise, as he was known as a star footballer in Sopore for his great maneuvering skills and scoring goals.

As the game began and all his friends were in the field, he disappeared within minutes and is missing since then.

His family members are in a deep shock since then and have been continuously appealing their son to return home for the sake of his parents.

“On June 24, Amir left his maternal uncle’s home at Adipora, Sopore. He took his phone along. Since then, there is no trace of him. When contacted, his phone is coming as switched off,” said Amir’s uncle Nazir Ahmed.

He said they searched for him in the neighborhood, but all in vain. “The next day, we called our relatives and friends, but nobody had any clue of his whereabouts,” he said.

“For the sake of God, please don’t leave us like this and return home as soon as possible, we cannot live without you,” appealed Nazir Ahmad amid tears and sobs.

“If he is with any militant outfit, we request them to please send him back to his home. He is very innocent. We don’t have any support except him,” Ahmed said, adding that they have also registered a missing report at the Police Station, Sopore.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sopore, Javaid Iqbal said that they are investigating the matter. “We can’t jump the gun and can’t draw any conclusion whether he has joined militancy. Let’s wait for some time,” he said.

-ARK