SRINAGAR: Thousands of people took part in funeral prayers of five slain militants in their respective villages on Friday.
The funeral prayers were held separately in four villages including at Pakharpora, Kandi Aglar, Batmandan and Arwani. The militants were buried amid intense sloganeering in favour of freedom.
In a fierce gun battle, five militants were killed in Gadder Forest in Kellar area of South Kashmirs Shopian district on Thursday. Three slain militants were hailing from South Kashmir while one militant belonged to Pakherpora in Budgam district.
The funeral prayer of Pakistani militant commander, Muhammad Toyib, was offered along with Shakeel Ahmad Wani in Pakharpora. The three other militants were identified as Tahir, Ashfaq and Parvez.
Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani addressed gathering over phone. The struggle would continue till last Indian solider leaves Kashmir, he told the mourners.
In his address, Geelani urged the people to safeguard the sacrifices offered by the martyrs. We need to take care of these sacrifices and refrain from activities that are detrimental for the interest of ongoing movement, he said, adding the youth of Kashmir would continue to resist the control of New Delhi.
Meanwhile several areas in South and Central Kashmir observed shutdown on Friday against the killing of five militants.
The areas which observed the spontaneous strike include Kellar, Aglar, Kandi, Rajpora, Dalwan, Abhama, Drabgam, Achagoza, Bamnu, Chak Badrinath, Pakharpora, Qadipora, Chraripora, Mohandpora, Khaigam, Qamrazipora, Rohumu, and other adjoining areas. Shops and business establishments were closed while traffic was off the roads.
Reports said anti-India and pro-freedom protests rocked the Rajpora and Keller areas of Pulwama district.
Protests were also held in the native villages of the slain militants soon after the Friday congregational prayers. Eyewitnesses told CNS that agitated youth tried to attack the CRPF post at Khaigam in Pakharpora, however, police used tear-smoke shells to disperse them. The protestors also hurled stones on the private vehicle (JK028-5045) of a political workers and smashed its windowpanes.
Hundreds of people including the separatist leaders like Javid Ahmed Mir and Zafar Akbar Bhat visited the graves and native villages of the militants and offered sympathies to the bereaved families.
