Shopian: The abduction of police personals and their kindred is becoming a new normal in the Valley and is being used as pressure tactics by terror outfits to terrorise the locals working in Jammu and Kashmir Police.

To create hurdles in panchayat elections and to create fear among locals, anti-national elements have gutted panchayat ghars in three districts of south and central Kashmir.

In another incident to terrorise locals, four policemen including three SPOs and a police constable rank officer were abducted by terrorists from Kaprin and Batagund villages of Shopian district of south Kashmir early Friday morning. The three SPOs were later reported to be killed by the terrorists.

Official sources in Jammu Kashmir Police also confirmed abduction of four police officials from Shopian district of south Kashmir. 

Speaking to MyNation, an official said, "Armed terrorists barged into the houses of the police officials and abducted four of them including three SPOs and one constable from Kaprin and Batagund villages".

"We have taken cognizance of the abduction and manhunt has been launched to arrest the terrorist and free these officials", he added. 

Security agencies are not ruling out the involvement of Hizbul Mujahideen in the abduction of the cops as days ago Hizbul commander Riyaz Naiko, in a video accessed by MyNation, had warned Jammu and Kashmir Police officials to resign from their jobs, or face dire consequences.

This is the first such incident after the government announced the urban and local bodies elections in the Valley despite a boycott by two main regional parties and threats from terror outfits.

The policemen abducted by terrorists are identified as Firdous Ahmad Kuchey, Kulwant Singh, Nisar Ahmad Dhobi and Fayaz Ahmad Bhat.

It is believed that former DG SP Vaid was removed from the post after the abduction of 11 kindred of policemen for the release of Riyaz Naiko's father, who was detained by Jammu and Kashmir Police and later released.

However, this incident is seen as an attempt by terrorists to pressurise Jammu and Kashmir Police, who are leading all anti-terror operations in the Valley.