Jammu, June 19(KNS): A man went missing along with an AK-47 rifle belonging to a police officer in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday late evening, prompting a large-scale search operation by the authorities.

Identified as Mohammad Rafi from Trown village in the Pranoo area, he was traveling from Bhella to his village in his vehicle when he went missing.

"He was accompanied by an SPO, who was carrying the weapon. When they reached Pul Doda, the SPO, Safdar Hussain, exited the vehicle to purchase essentials.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelDuring this time, Rafi fled in his car along with the rifle," officials told the Kashmir News Service(KNS).

They said that the vehicle has been recovered near the Jagota area of Bhalla, but neither Rafi nor the weapon was found inside.

"A manhunt has been launched to apprehend him and recover the weapon," they added.(KNS).