Kupwara- A 14-year-old boy from Qaziabad village of Handwara in Kupwara district who was killed in the cross fire at Wangam crossing Sunday evening was laid to rest in Sheeri graveyard of Baramulla where usually unidentified foreign militants are buried.
Family members of the slain boy said that their son, Hazim Shafi Bhat, only brother of three young sisters was laid to rest at Sheeri, Baramulla graveyard this morning with attendance of only 17 persons.
Hazim, a 7th class student, was killed apparantly in the cross fire, at a distance of half a kilometre from the shootout site.
Muhammad Shafi Bhat, Nambardar of the village and uncle of deceased Hazim, said that police intimated them that the body won’t be handed over for last rites instead will be buried at Sheeri Baramulla and few family members will be allowed to attend the last rites.
He said early morning around 06: 30 am, they left along with a police team for the burial and about 07:00 am Hazim’s funeral prayers were offered with attendance of 17 people in attendance.
Earlier police in it’s statement said that a civilian had got killed during the exchange of fire at Wangam crossing in Kralgund area stating that a case has been registered and further investigation is going about the circumstances of this crime. Three CRPF men were also killed an attack at Wangam, Handwara on Sunday evening.
Earlier reports said when the gunfire ceased, body of Hazim was spotted around half a kilometre from the shootout site.
“He along with other boys in the area had taken animals for grazing. While others fled, he could not as he was physically handicapped. He could not even properly talk and would occasionally fell down,” Mohammad Rayees, his immediate neighbour told local news agency GNS.
The family termed reports dubbing him as militant as “very unfortunate.” “He could not properly walk or talk. How can he be a militant,” Bhat said.
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