New Delhi: As many as 11 family members of six policemen have been kidnapped after midnight raids on Thursday by militants in south Kashmir’s Kulgam, Anantnag and Pulwama districts.

The kidnappings came on the day when National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Syed Shakeel Ahmad, son of militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen’s chief Syed Salahuddin, in connection with a case of terror funding.

According to sources in Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) police, the abductions are also in retaliation to detention of the father of top Kashmiri militant Riaz Naikoo. Naikoo’s father was arrested after militants killed four policemen on Wednesday and fled with their rifles.

In one of his videos that went viral on social media, Naikoo is seen threatening cops and their informers with dire consequences.

Reacting to the abductions, former J & K Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah said the development was “worrisome”.

“11 abductions! This is a very worrying reflection of the situation in the valley. What is worse is the selective outrage — people/leaders who are so vocal about alleged security force excesses are silent about these abductions,” Abdullah said.

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former state CM Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, “militants and forces victimising each other’s families is highly condemnable and marks a new low in our situation. The families should not become casualties and made to suffer for something they have little control over.”

On Friday, a massive manhunt to trace the abducted persons was launched following a high-level security meeting. A red alert was sounded across the state after the abductions.

Nine of the abducted persons have been identified as Zubair Ahmad Bhat, Arif Ahmad Sankar, Faizan Ahmad Makro, Sumar Ahmad Rather, Gowher Ahmad Malik, Zahoor Ahmad Zargar, Mohammed Shafi, Naseer Ahmad Mir Midoora, and Adnan Ashraf Shah.

The relatives of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and a Station House Officer (SHO) were among those abducted.

“It is for the first time in the 29 years’ history of militancy in Kashmir that terrorists have executed such an act. We are working to ensure the safety and release of the family members of policemen,” J & K police said in a statement.

A total of 33 policemen have been killed by militants across the Valley so far this year.