Budgam, March 9: Defence Ministry on Saturday refuted media reports about the abduction of an Indian Army jawan of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) Unit, Mohammad Yaseen - from his residence in Qazipora Chadoora in Budgam on Friday evening. The ministry said media reports of the abduction of Yaseen on leave from were incorrect. The ministry confirmed that the Individual is safe and asked the media not to spread the speculations.

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On Friday, reports surfaced that Yaseen was kidnapped by terrorists from his residence. Reports also claimed that soon after the information, the area was cordoned, and a massive manhunt was launched, both by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Yaseen was on leave till March 31. Earlier on February 23 this year, an Indian Army officer was abducted by unidentified armed men in Kiratpur town of Punjab. He was identified as Captain Vishal.

Meanwhile, on March 8, the MoD cleared an exclusive information warfare branch for the Indian Army to combat misinformation campaigns and propaganda being spread through social media for psychological conflicts, reported India Today. The plan was approved by the ministry at a time when Pakistan is spreading fake news on social media about the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) air strikes in Balakot.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 09, 2019 08:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).