A complete shutdown was observed in South Kashmri’s Shopian district against government forces tactics to force civilian drivers to ferry them for anti-militancy operations.

Eyewitnesses said that thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of slain driver Nazir Ahmad Sheikh who was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Kachdoora amid pro-freedom and pro-Hizbul Mujahideen slogans.

Sheikh was ferrying soldiers returning from a daylong anti-militancy operation in Shopian when militants ambushed the vehicle on Thursday evening. Three soldiers were also injured in the attack.

Witnesses said that mourners carrying Sheikh’s body for burial shouted slogans in favour of Kashmir’s freedom and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant outfit.

    Locals alleged that government forces are forcing civilian drivers to accompany them during anti-militancy operations. The local mourners of Kachdoora alleged that the slain driver was forcibly taken away by government forces.

   Transporters from the district appealed government to look into the matter and direct Government Forces to stop using private vehicles.

    Drivers alleged that the government forces were “committing atrocities” on them. “The slain driver Nazir Ahmed was very humble and was doing his job to feed his family. He was forcibly taken away by Forces,” the drivers in the town alleged.

    Reports said that all the shops and business establishments remained shut while transport didn’t play on the roads. Large contingent of Police and Para-military Central Reserve Police Force personnel were deployed to maintain law and order in the district.

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