The family of Ishaaq Majeed Reshi, a civilian who was allegedly killed during an encounter between security forces and a group militants in Kulgam on Sunday, has alleged that Reshi was killed in custody by security force, reported Economic Times. The family also claimed that there were torture marks on Reshi’s body and a blunt injury on his forehead. Security forces had claimed he had died in the gun battle.

The militants had taken shelter at Reshi’s home, which was destroyed by improvised explosive devices. Four militants, two Army officers and two civilians were killed during the encounter in the Frisal village.

Reshi’s father Abdul Majeed claimed that both his sons were detained by the police on Saturday night after the security forces were intimated about the presence of the militants. While Reshi’s brother Mohammed Shafi came back, Reshi did not. The next day, they were told that Reshi was dead, Abdul Majeed told The Telegraph.

Shafi claims that both of them were detained separately and that he was tortured in custody by more than 100 security personnel. Protests had broken out on Sunday afternoon as funeral prayers were held for Reshi.

However, Brigadier R Chakravathy, commander, 1-sector RR, said the terrorists had held the family hostage inside the house. When Reshi saw the security forces inside the house, “he came running but the militants opened fire,” Brigadier Chakravarthy said, according to DNA.

Two of the militants killed were part of the Hizbul Mujahideen group, while the others belonged to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the police had said. Investigators had said that all four of them were local youths. Three militants had managed to flee from the house where they had been holed up, the police had added.