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German tourist's body brought to Srinagar

The body of missing German tourist Rolf Harfurth has been brought to Srinagar from Zanskar in Ladakh division of Jammu & Kashmir to be handed over to officials of the German embassy.

Inspector General of Police Ashok Bhan said the body of the tourist, who was abducted by militants from Zanskar late last month, was found outside Ranghong village.

German embassy officials have been informed and are on their way to collect the body, he added.

Official sources quoting intelligence reports said Harfurth was killed after he pushed a militant from a mountain peak on the Zanskar-Kishtwar track. The militant survived, but his associates killed the tourist.

Though some nomads knew of the murder, they did not report it to the police for fear of being questioned, the sources said.

Harfurth is the second foreign tourist to be confirmed killed by terrorists after abduction. Norwegian tourist Hans Christian Ostro, who was kidnapped along with five others in 1995 by an organisation called Al-Faran, was found beheaded later that year.

While an American tourist managed to escape from Al-Faran's clutches, the whereabouts of the other four are still unknown and they are believed dead. But the police have not closed the case.

Senior Superintendent of Police Mohammad Amin Shah, who is heading the investigation team, said the case would remain open until the tourists are traced alive or their bodies are found.

EARLIER REPORT:
Abducted German tourist reported killed

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