Srinagar: The defence ministry on Saturday clarified that media reports of the kidnapping of a serving Army soldier on leave were “incorrect”.

“Clarification. Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided,” the defence ministry spokesperson tweeted on Saturday morning.

On Friday night, there were reports that a jawan of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) was reportedly kidnapped by terrorists.

According to the officials, jawan was identified as Mohammad Yaseen who was reportedly kidnapped by terrorists from his residence in Qazipora Chadoora in Budgam on Friday.

Yaseen, who belongs to the Army's JAKLI Unit, was on a leave to visit his hometown. A joint team of police and army personnel was sent to his village and a search operation was launched in the area, officials said.

This is not the first time when army jawans have been targeted by terrorists. In June 2018, an army soldier Aurangzeb of 44 Rashtriya Rifles was kidnapped and killed by terrorists. His body was found only a few kilometers away from the place of kidnapping. He was on way to his home to celebrate Eid when he was attacked.