The Army has taken cognisance of a video showing soldiers desecrating the bodies of Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Abu Ismail and his accomplice Abu Qasim who were killed in an encounter on Thursday at Aribagh, Nowgam in Srinagar.
In the video, soldiers are seen trampling the bodies of the two militants. The bodies were dragged from the site of encounter into a lane by the troops.
One soldier is seen pressing the head of Abu Ismail with his boot while the other presses Abu Qasim's throat with his foot.
The video, which went viral, after it was widely shared on WhatsApp.
“Army has taken the cognisance of the video and suitable action will follow,” said Army spokesman Rajesh Kali in Srinagar.
The video has caused widespread outrage among the people and has fueled anti-Army feelings.
A police official said they don't approve of the soldiers desecrating the bodies of the dead, even if they are militants.
He said such acts will prove highly counterproductive and fuel rage among the supporters of separatists.
Police said Ismail had masterminded the attack on the Amarnath pilgrims at Botengo in Anantnag that left seven pilgrims dead and over 20 others injured.
Police, Army, and the CRPF had constituted special teams to track him.
Ismail is is the 9th listed militant to be killed in the last four months under “operation all-out”.
Meanwhile, Army on Saturday released the list of four top militants comprising Zakir Musa, who broke ranks with Hizbul Mujahideen to head an Al Qaeda affiliate group, Zeenatul Islam of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Saddam Paddar and Riyaz Naikoo of Hizbul Mujahideen and Khalid of Jaish-e-Muhammad.
