The RUC is refusing to comment on reports that the murder of an 18-year-old man in Co Derry could be linked to a series of arguments between local youths and British soldiers.
The partially-clothed body of Mr Jonathan Cairns was found by members of his family in a shallow grave in a remote forest five miles from his home in Ballykelly at the weekend. He disappeared after going out with his friends last Saturday.
People in Ballykelly, which has a large British army base, claimed there had been a growing number of disputes between locals and British military personnel in recent weeks.
The RUC yesterday said the man had been beaten to death. A post-mortem examination showed he had extensive and serious injuries to his body.
A murder inquiry has been opened. A sectarian motive for the killing has been ruled out, but an RUC spokesman said several definite lines of inquiry were being followed.
He refused to comment on reports that detectives were examining claims that the man's death was related to a series of rows between local youths and British soldiers.