Doda: A man went missing along with AK-47 rifle of a Special Police Officer (SPO) in Trown area of Doda district on Tuesday evening while a manhunt has been launched to nab him.

Sources as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) identified the man as Muhammad Rafi, a resident of Trown near Pranoo.

“He was coming from Bhella towards his village and was accompanied by a Special Police Officer who was carrying the weapon. When reached Pul Doda, the SPO Safdar Hussain deboarded the vehicle to buy some essentials and in the meantime Rafi fled in his car along with the rifle. The vehicle has been recovered near the Jagota area of Bhalla but neither Rafi nor the weapon was present in the vehicle,” sources said.

Confirming the incident, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Doda, Javed Iqbal as per KNO said that Rafi has fled along with the rifle and Police is on the job to trace him.

“He might be hiding anywhere in his village but has not been traced yet,” he added.

Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt to nab him and recover the weapon.

The locals of Trown village have appealed Rafi to return to his family and his issues, if any, will be sorted out.