Anantnag
The policeman kidnapped on Thursday night by suspected militants in Shopian district was found shot dead on Friday morning.

He has been identified as Javaid Ahmad Dar, resident of Vehil village in Shopian district.

He was kidnapped at around 9.30 pm from outside his house. Soon after a picture of him–almost naked with apparent bruises over his body–was circulated over social media.

“His body, with multiple bullet wounds, was on Friday morning retrieved from Pariwan village in neighboring Kulgam district,” a senior police official told The Tribune.

He said a massive manhunt was launched on Thursday night soon after he was kidnapped.

“The kidnappers managed to flee,” the official said.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the District Police Lines, Shopian, on Friday morning, following which the body was handed over to the family.

Meanwhile, a civilian, who led prayers at a mosque in Pulwama, was shot at and injured by gunmen in Parigam area of Pulwama district.

The injured imam has been identified as Mohammad Ashraf Thoker, a resident of Bijbehara in Anantnag district.