SRINAGAR: A series of abductions by terrorists in the last three days has spread a fresh wave of fear among family members of J&K Police personnel across the Kashmir Valley . It all started on Wednesday with the kidnapping of Asif Ahmad, son of policeman Rafiq Ahmad Rather, from Pinglish village of Tral in Pulwama district .

A distraught wife of Rather, who is posted in Srinagar, put out a video on social media, urging the terrorists to release her son, an MSc Agriculture student, unharmed.

Terrorists have killed seven policemen, including one inspector, since Eid-ul-Azha on August 22. Three police personnel were killed inside their homes in south Kashmir on the day of Eid, when they had come home to celebrate with their families.

Four other policemen were killed on Wednesday at Arhama village in Shopian when they were on escort duty.

“I’m concerned about my family members back home in Pulwama. I have kids at home, besides my wife, father and brothers. Reports about abductions of relatives of our colleagues have been giving me sleepless nights here in Srinagar,” said a policeman on condition of anonymity.

Similar feelings were expressed by a sub-inspector at one of the police stations in Srinagar. “The situation is worse in Shopian. I have my family and relatives there. Now, this new trend has instilled fear in me,” he said.

Another policeman working with the armed wing of the force in Kulgam said, “I sometimes feel like quitting the job for the safety of my family. I hardly visit home. The past year, I have not been to Kulgam even once. Now, this trend has created new fears in our minds. We always remain restless for the welfare of our families.”

