Srinagar: Police on Monday said that the slain militant who the Army claimed was killed in retaliatory firing in Pahnoo area of Shopian along with four civilians belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit and had joined them in July 2017. 

He was identified as Amir Ahmed Malik son of Bashir Ahmed Malik a resident of Harmain, Shopian.

Earlier, the Army identified the slain militant as Shahid Ahmad Dar S/o Mushtaq Ahmad Dar R/o Jamnagri, Shopian.

An Army spokesman said on Sunday evening that the three civilians were accompanying the Lashkar militant who worked as his Over Ground Workers (OGWs). The locals, however, rejected the Army claim and said that the youth had no connection with the militant.

They identified the four civilians as Suhail Ahmad Wagay (22) son Khalid Ahmad Wagay of Pinjora, Shahid Khan (21) son of Bashir Khan of Malik Gund and Shahnawaz Wagay (23) son of  Ali Mohammad of Moolu, Trenz and Gowhar Ahmad Lone (24) of Trenz.