Mob stripped and thrashed three soldiers in north Kashmir suspecting them to be braid choppers while in another similar incident in South Kashmir, five civilians were injured as security forces opened fire at mob.

A group of people stopped a private bus near Sheeri village in Baramulla district, and asked to check three unarmed soldiers in plain clothes suspecting them of being braid choppers.

After frisking and checking their identify cards, the soldiers were stripped naked and beaten mercilessly by the people. Mobsters kicked and punched the soldiers causing serious injuries to one of them. Police have registered a case, and a massive manhunt has been launched to nab the people responsible for this incident.

Police said three soldiers of the Territorial Army (TA) battalion were on their way to Baramulla to fix search lights when the incident happened.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, Mir Imtiyaz Hussain said they have identified the people behind this incident. "We have identified them and we will get them soon", he said.

This is the fourth incident in the last 24 hours when army men were caught by vigilante groups and thrashed in public.

More than 105 braid chopping cases have been reported from Kashmir alone. Alarmed by the braid chopping cases, District Magistrate Shopian, Mohammad Aijaz has constituted a district-level committee to maintain strict vigil and counsel braid chopping victims.

More than five persons were injured when security forces allegedly opened fire to disperse protesters who were chasing an alleged braid chopper in Wullerhama village of Salar area in Anantnag district on Wednesday.

The incident occurred when a braid chopping incident occurred in the area. Mobs took to streets and gheraored the forces. Security forces men opened fire causing injuries to five people. They have been rushed to hospital for treatment. Police said the situation in the area is tense but under control.

More than 105 braid chopping cases have been reported from Kashmir alone. Police said the victims and families are not cooperating with the investigators. Police has decided to conduct the scientific and take blood samples to find out what kind of spray is being used for making women unconscious.

Headed by Additional District Magistrate, the committee comprises Additional Superintendent of Police, District Social Welfare officer and counseling psychologist/psychiatrist as its members.

"Counseling psychologist/psychiatrist and counselors from Social Welfare Department are already doing their job of helping the victims to overcome the post-traumatic situation. In order to reach out to the families where such incidents have taken place an outreach squad comprising Tehsildar concerned, SHO concerned and TSWO have met the victims and their families", said an official spokesman.