Islamist militants were suspected today of breaking into the tomb of a Spanish policeman blown up by suicide bombers linked to the Madrid trains massacre.

The remains of Francisco Javier Torronteras, 41, were discovered in a barbaric condition this morning.

He was a member of the elite Special Operations Group who died when his unit was caught in the explosion caused by seven suspects in the Madrid massacre when they blew themselves up rather than surrender.

Spain's National Police said that the coffin containing the body of Senor Torronteras was taken from its grave, doused with fuel and set alight, but refused to give further details.

It was reported that the unknown attackers mutilated the corpse by driving a pick axe through the skull and a shovel through his torso, although Spanish police would not confirm this.

Cemetery guards were attracted by the smoke and called the police, who discovered that the mutilated and part burnt remains were in fact those of their deceased colleague.

Senor Torronteras died on April 3 during a raid on a flat in Leganes, southern Madrid.

Apart from the dead officer, whose name has been added to the list of the 190 who were killed by the commuter train bombs, 11 of his colleagues were injured - two seriously - when the seven terrorist suspects blew themselves up in a flat in Leganes, southern Madrid.

The officer was buried two weeks ago with military honours and in the presence of King Juan Carlos and political leaders.

The attackers had carefully planned the desecration, since the burial niche was marked only by the number "80" rather than the deceased officer's name.

A battered red BMW car, with its number plates changed and wheels missing, was found near the cemetery gates and was being examined to see if it had been used by the attackers.

The macabre discovery fuelled fears that a number of terrorists are still at large and planning further attacks. Police know that at least two suspects escaped from the flat before the explosion on April 3.

Eighteen people have been provisionally charged for their alleged role in the bombings. Police believe other suspects are still at large.