Srinagar: Thousands participated in the funerals of the three militants killed in a gunfight in Baramulla on Wednesday, despite restrictions and shutdown.
Top Lashkar commander Shoaib Akhoon of Khanpora was killed along with his two associates by the forces in a gunfight in Binner village of the district yesterday.
Reports said that the forces had sealed several roads in Khanpora and Old town areas to limit the number of mourners.
Despite the restrictions, reports said, a huge number of men and women gathered in the funeral prayers of Akhoon in Khanpora area.
In Old town Baramulla, thousands of people marched with the bodies of Mosin Mushtaq of Qazi Hamam and Nisar Darzi of Jamia Mohalla. The mourners were raising pro-freedom slogans as they marched with the bodies of the duo.
A spontaneous shutdown is being observed in the district to mourn the killings.
Internet remained suspended for the second consecutive day in the district while restrictions were placed on the movement of people, especially mourners.
Reports said even journalists were not allowed to cover the funerals of the slain militants.
On Wednesday, thousands of people have gathered at six funerals that are being held in villages of Shopian and Pulwama on Wednesday.
Reports from south said that people in hoards have assembled in Draggad and Shirmal villages of Shopian district to offer funeral prayers of militants killed in Shirmal gunfight on Tuesday. The killed militants include IPS officer’s brother Shamsul Haq, Amir Suhail and Shoiab.
Recently, it was reported that Armed forces in Kashmir are looking to check the size of gatherings at militant funerals to choke their potential as recruiting grounds.
Recently, restrictions were placed to prevent people from participating in the funeral of Al-Badr militant Zeenat-ul-Islam. However, clashes erupted in which 11 civilians were injured.
Eyewitnesses told Free Press Kashmir that the forces had sealed all roads leading to Sugan village to limit the number of people participating in the funeral of Islam.
However, mourners continued to reach the village after making their way through bylines, and crossing checkpoints though orchards and agricultural fields.
Islam was killed in a gunfight with armed forces in Katpora village of Yaripora in Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti had said that stopping the crowd to participate in the funeral prayer of a local militant was an interference in the religious affairs that would lead to further anger and alienation.
Calling the use of force on mourners during the funeral procession of Zeenat as “un-Islamic and undemocratic”, Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had said the ‘forces action’ was ‘contrary to the human values.’
