Srinagar (PTI): An army soldier on leave has gone missing from his native Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir leading to security forces launching a massive search and rescue operation, officials said on Sunday.

The father of the soldier, posted in the Ladakh region, said he was supposed to join work on Sunday.

Javaid Ahmad Wani, a resident of Achathal area of Kulgam district, went missing on Saturday evening. His car was found at Paranhall, they said.

His father has appealed to those who might have abducted the soldier to release him alive since he was the only breadwinner of the family.

"I appeal to all the brothers to let him go alive. If he has troubled anyone, I apologise for that. If they want I will get him to quit his job as well," Mohammad Ayoub Wani told reporters.

Wani said his son had gone out to buy meat on Saturday evening as he was to go back to his place of posting on Sunday.

"He told his brother to drop him at the airport tomorrow (Sunday). Sometime later, we got a call that his car was found abandoned with its doors ajar," the father said.

Eyewitnesses claim that there were blood marks in the car but officials did not confirm it.

Police have conducted raids across Kulgam district and adjoining areas to rescue the soldier.

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New Delhi: Former Delhi High Court Chief Justice A.P. Shah has told a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) that the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) Bill is unconstitutional and violates democratic principles and the federal structure, sources said.

Justice Shah, who is also a former chairman of the Law Commission, submitted a 12-page report while deposing before the JPC on Monday (March 18), The New Indian Express reported. He raised concerns over the bill, particularly regarding the power it grants to the Election Commission to recommend postponing state assembly elections.

Assembly elections must be held for full term: Justice Shah

Justice Shah stated that assembly elections should be held for a full five-year term and expressed skepticism over the claim that simultaneous elections would significantly reduce public expenditure. When asked about alternatives to the bill, he said he would present his views to the committee at a later stage.

Harish Salve defends the bill

Senior advocate Harish Salve also appeared before the JPC and supported the bill, arguing that it aligns with constitutional requirements.

ONOE bills introduced amid opposition resistance

Despite strong opposition citing threats to federalism and the basic structure doctrine, the bills facilitating 'One Nation, One Election' were introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2023.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 after a division vote. The introduction was approved with 269 votes in favour and 198 against.

The bills were subsequently referred to a JPC for further examination.