Question of childicide: The remains of at least 24 troops are found in the courtyard of a former police officer

The cemetery could hold up to 40 bodies, most of whom are thought to be women or girls, officials have said. The exhumation of all troops can take another month.

Police believe the discovery tells of a chain of secret killings that has operated for more than a decade, reports the BBC, translates Periscopi.

El Salvador has one of the highest levels of childicide in Latin America. Childicide is the murder of women because of gender.

Hugo Ernesto Ororio Chavez, 51, was arrested in Chalcupa this month for killing a 57-year-old woman and her 26-year-old daughter. The former police official, formerly investigated for sexual assault, has confessed the murder of his mother and daughter.

However, forensic teams searched his home, located 75 miles [78 km] north of the capital of San Salvador and found other troops.

Authorities have said the discovery implies the existence of a network of assassins that may have operated for more than a decade.

At least 10 people are facing charges.

Suspects include former policemen, former soldiers and traffickers with human beings.

National Police Director Maurizio Arriaza Chicas doubts Mr. Oorio Chavez may have been killing people for a decade.

He told us that he found the victims on social networks and seduced the American dream,” said Arriaza Chicas.