The 'Imam' (Prayer Leader) Muneer Ahmad War, a resident of Hatmula village in Kupwara district, was arrested along with accomplice Izhar-ul-Islam in connection with the murder of Wali Mohammad Hajam alias "Imtiyaz", SSP Srinagar Ashiq Bukhari said.
"The cold blooded murder happens to be a crime of passion. War was harbouring grudge and feelings of jealousy against Hajam, a mason by profession, on account of his proximity with a girl to whom the accused was strongly attracted and purportedly had a relation with her", he said.
Bukhari said the accused did not like the victim's "proximity" with the girl and both of them had entered into a duel over the issue when the victim visited War's home on May 15.
The police was probing the matter following a `missing' report by Hajam's cousin the same day.
"Finally, the investigation team zeroed in on War and Izhar-ul-Islam of Anantnag district, who revealed that Hajam was murdered and his body dumped at a partially earth filled plot of land in Firdosabad locality of Batamaloo", Bukhari said.
The accused also identified the site where he dumped the body and confessed the modus operandi of crime, in which he was helped by Islam who facilitated disposal of the body, he said.
The weapon used in the offence was also recovered, Bukhari added.