DHAKA: Iraqi forensic experts are investigating a mass grave that was discovered by troops advancing towards the Islamic State-held city of Mosul.

The Iraqi military has said the grave, in the grounds of an agricultural college in the town of Hamam al-Alil, contains about 100 decapitated bodies.

Most have been reduced to skeletons, so it is unclear who the victims were.

IS militants have carried out many mass killings and have been accused of fresh atrocities in the area in recent weeks.

They are being forced to retreat to Mosul, the last major IS urban stronghold in Iraq, in an offensive by pro-government forces that began on October 17.

Iraqi troops found the mass grave after noticing a strong smell while advancing into the town, about 30km (19 miles) south of Mosul, on Monday.

BDST: 2009 HRS, NOV 08, 2016
AP/BD