Body of militant, 2 others found; protests erupt

Bodies of three men, including that of an alleged militant, were found in Baramulla district on Monday, triggering protests, even though police said the deaths appeared to be a result of fight between two militant groups.

The bodies were spotted in an orchard by residents of Dangerpora in Pattan area early this morning and they informed the police. “One of the deceased has been identified as Aamir Qadir Reshi (18), who had been reported missing on July 15, 2015, from his village in Sopore,” a police officer said. <g data-gr-id="31">Reshi</g> had reportedly joined Lashkar-e-Islam, a breakaway outfit of Hizbul Mujahideen, earlier this year, he added.

<g data-gr-id="28">Preliminary</g> probe showed that the deceased could have been killed by Hizbul Mujahideen cadres, he said. The officer said efforts were on to ascertain the identity of the other two persons. 

“The deceased are being identified. <g data-gr-id="21">Medico legal</g> formalities are being conducted and <g data-gr-id="25">investigation</g> has been taken up,” a police said.

Lashkar-e-Islam is believed to be responsible for several attacks on mobile towers and other telecommunication installations in May and June this year. The group is also believed to be behind the killing of some separatist activists this year in Sopore area.

Meanwhile, protests broke out in Pattan and Palhalan town on Srinagar-Baramulla road and the markets in the area were closed down. Former CM Omar Abdullah has demanded a high-level probe into the incident.