Six handcuffed boys were killed with a melding machine and a welding rod by ISIS - who also savagely beat three young men for playing football and wearing a Lionel Messi T shirt, reports Daily Mail.

The terror group executed the six youths from northern Iraq in central Mosul, Iraqi News reports.

The savage killings happened in front of a large crowd, it is claimed.

A source - who spoke to the news site on the condition of anonymity - said: 'The terrorist outfit executed six youths in Mosul. ISIS said that the youths belonged to a resistance faction. The youths were first handcuffed and then a welding machine and a welding rod was used to kill them. The execution took place in Mosul in front of a large gathering.' 

The source added: 'This came in order to create a state of fear and panic among the people.'

In a separate incident, Iraqi News reports that three young men were each given 30 lashes for playing football.

ISIS has reportedly banned people in occupied zones wearing football shirts.

The three men, one of who was wearing a Lionel Messi T shirt, were beaten in front of a crowd after what is believed to be the first arrests of the football-related crackdown.

A witness recounted: 'ISIS men arrested three young men for playing football, one player wearing a Messi shirt in Martyrs’ Park in downtown Mosul. ISIS militants have lashed every young man with 30 lashes in a public square in front of a crowd of people in central Mosul, as they are playing a game, which is prohibited in Islam. ISIS tore the T-shirt which carried Messi's name.'