Two rifles of security guards go 'missing' in Kashmir

Srinagar, April 26 (IANS) Two service rifles of a former legislator's security guards were reported "missing" Friday in south Kashmir's Shopian district and the police here said a departmental inquiry would probe the incident.

Guards posted at the house of former National Conference legislator Sheikh Rafi, in Kachdora village of Shopian district, reported to their seniors that two of their weapons had gone missing.

They said they had kept their rifles in the house of the person they were meant to protect, but could not trace them now.

"An FIR has already been registered in the case. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated. The facts of the incident would be revealed during the course of investigations, but this does not appear to be related to militant activity," a senior police officer said.

Interestingly, police sources said that while two AK-47 rifles were missing, a third weapon belonging to another security guard of the protected person was found where it had reportedly been placed alongside the two missing weapons.

The house of the former legislator also has guards of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) protecting it.