The body of a Sarpanch who was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Sopore area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district was recovered in nearby orchards on Saturday morning.

Body of Ghulam Mohammad Mir, 62, was recovered from a field in Shalabugh area of Sopore town, police said.

The six unidentified gunmen barged inside house of Ghulam Mohammad alias Bedar sahib, a Sarpanch affiliated with National Conference from Hygam Sopore, at 9pm on Friday night. The gunmen took Bedar along with them.

Mir's family lodged a complaint with police following which a search operation was launched.

On Saturday morning the body of the deceased Sarpanch, who had received bullet injury in the head and abdomen, was found in the orchards near Hygam.

Police have registered a case and initiated a hunt to nab the killers.

The kidnapping came 3 days after Sopore Assembly segment went to polls in the third phase.

The apple town, hitherto known as separatist stronghold, saw a turnout of 30 percent, which was 10 per cent higher than 2008 assembly elections.

(indiatoday)