In a distressing turn of events, two young men hailing from Jammu and Kashmir have found themselves embroiled in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine after being deceived into serving as mercenaries on the frontline for the Russian army.

Aazad Yousuf Kumar, a 31-year-old resident of Poshwan in the Awantipora district, left his home under the guise of a job opportunity in Dubai, leaving behind his wife and infant child. Little did he know that he and several others were victims of a scam orchestrated by a Dubai-based consultancy, leading them to be coerced into joining the Russian army.

According to Aazad’s father, Mohammad Yousuf Kumar, the consultancy vanished upon their arrival in Russia, leaving them stranded and obligated to undergo military training. During this training, Aazad sustained an injury to his leg, inadvertently inflicted by himself. Despite receiving medical treatment, he remains apprehensive about his impending deployment to the warfront.

Similarly, Zahoor Ahmad from Hajinar Tangdar in Kupwara, along with companions from Uttar Pradesh and Hyderabad, also fell victim to this deceitful scheme. Zahoor, employed in Chandigarh, vanished in Russia under mysterious circumstances, raising concerns about his safety and well-being.

Both families have fervently appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs for assistance in repatriating their loved ones. The Ministry has acknowledged the gravity of the situation and has pledged to address it promptly.

The plight of these young men underscores the need for stringent measures to combat the exploitation of vulnerable individuals by unscrupulous entities. The Ministry of External Affairs is urged to conduct a thorough investigation into these cases and ensure the safe return of Aazad Yousuf Kumar and Zahoor Ahmad Sheikh to their families in the Kashmir Valley.