Rescue two Kashmiris trapped in Russia, Mehbooba Mufti urges MEA

Srinagar, February 27

As two Kashmiris find themselves among the several youths from the country who have been lured into security guard roles in Russia only to be deployed on the Ukrainian frontlines, former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has sought the intervention of the External Affairs Ministry.

She said the MEA should intervene and facilitate the return of Kashmiris forcibly deployed into the Russian Army to fight against Ukraine. Mehbooba said their families are extremely distressed and worried about their safety.

Azad Yusuf Kumar (31), hailing from the Poshwan Awantipora area of Kashmir, along with others, has fallen victim to a fraudulent job scheme promising work as a helper in Russia. After responding to advertisements on a YouTube channel from Mumbai, Yusuf applied for the job of guarding a private building in Russia. But he was forced into military service and taken to the battlefront against the Ukrainian army.

Another person, Zahoor Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Hajinar Tangdar Kupwara, is also in Russia. He was also lured in the same fashion and taken to the battle front.