The Jammu and Kashmir police has narrowed down on three Hizbul Mujahideen militants they believe murdered Army liutenent Ummer Fayaz. Investigations conducted by J&K Police have revealed 26-year-old Mohammed Abbas Bhat alias Ali as the mastermind of the 22 year old Kashmir-based Army officer's murder.

Belonging to Chak Matribug in Shopian, Bhat has been active militant since 2016. But his criminal record began way back in 2011 when he was jailed for murder under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code. He was bailed out in April 2016 after which he picked up the gun and joined Hizbul Mujahideen.

Two other suspected Hizbul Mujahideen militants involved in the abduction and killing of Ummer Fayaz are Gayasul Islam Thoker (27) alias Fahad, who is active in Shopian since October 2016, and Ishfaq Ahmad Thoker alias Abrar (19), who has been active since September 2015.

All three Hizbul militants have been involved in cases of murder and robbery.

SSP Shopian Shri Ram told India Today that "the trio have been active in the area. Prima facie, they are behind the dastardly attack. However, only after complete investigation can we arrive at a logical conclusion".

Sources in the Indian Army said that Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were also suspected to be part of the gang of six men who killed the officer.

Ishfaq Ahmad Thoker, Gayasul Islam Thoker and Abass Ahmad Bhat Ishfaq Ahmad Thoker, Gayasul Islam Thoker and Abass Ahmad Bhat

Initially, two men entered the house where Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz's cousin was getting married. Four men joined the duo later. Family and friends of Fayaz failed to report his abduction to security agencies as they thought that it may aggravate the situation, said sources. Word got out only after Ummer Fayaz's bullet-riddled body was found on Wednesday morning.

Police are likely to question the family and friends of the officer to trace the six men who abducted him after the 'chautha' or the fourth day after the funeral. Locals are cooperating with the the security forces, said sources.

A source in the police department said that "there is speculation that Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammad may also be behind the killing, but nothing can be confirmed at this point in time".

Watch video:Suspected killers of Ummer Fayaz unmasked; Kashmiri boys line up to join police; more