Thousands of people swarmed the funeral of the militants who were killed in an encounter in South Kashmir as the police today claimed that  bodies of three LeT militants including its district commander were recovered from an encounter site at Arwani area of Bijbehara.

According to police, while acting on a specific information its personnel along with that of  1 RR and 90 Bn of CRPF launched an operation in Makro Mohalla of Arwani Bijbehara.  During the operation, militants present in the area fired upon the search parties with automatic weapons . The fire was retaliated, and an encounter started.

“When the encounter was on an unruly mob started pelting stones with an intention to disturb the operation and give chance to holed up militants to escape.  Some of the militants also fired from within the crowd indiscriminately on the security forces engaged in the encounter,” the statement added.

In the cross firing some people were injured. The injured were shifted to hospital. Two civilians  succumbed to their injuries. Police said that the militants killed in encounter were identified as Junaid Matto,  Nasir Wani and Adil Mushtaq Mir.

Junaid a was district commander of LeT and was involved in a number  of incidents including killing of f police constable at Bogund on 15 June in Kulgam.  He was  involved in Mirbazar police party attack where police official Mehmood died and was also responsible for the killing of an ASI and constable near bus stand Anantnag last year. Many cases of militant  activities are lodged against him.

Police further said that Nasir Wani had joined  the militancy last year and was involved in many incidents and from their positions the arms and ammunition including  AK  rifles, magazines and grenades were recovered.

All the three militants were laid to rest at their places with pro freedom and anti India slogans. Junaid Ahmad Bhat was laid to rest at his native village  in Khudwani area of Kulgam district, in which thousands of people participated. At least six funerals were held for Junaid at a local Eidgah as mourners continued to pour in from various parts of south Kashmir.

At least five militants from Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen appeared in his funeral and offered gun salutes to the slain militant.

Junaid was carrying a bounty of 10 lakh on his head and his killing was big blow to Lashkar-e-Toiba and big success to forces.

Another militant from Frestbal area of Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district  Aadil was laid to rest in his native area. The funeral prayers were held at local ground where mourners braving heat and fasting continued to pour in from various parts of south Kashmir.

Meanwhile, youth hoisted Pakistani flags on the roof of his house and chanted pro Pakistani and pro freedom slogans. As per eyewitnesses at least 5 militants appeared in his funeral and offered gun salutes.

Third militant Nasir Ahmed Wani of Heff Zainapora area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district was laid to rest in his native place, and due to heavy rush of public at least seven rounds of funeral prayers were held in his native village Heff where he was laid to rest around 1 pm.

Meanwhile at least 12 militants both from Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen appeared in his funeral prayers and offered gun salutes to slain militant.

First two militants appeared and offered gun salutes, then three militants appeared and  offered gun salutes, then a group of seven militants mostly locals including Sadam Padder appeared and offered gun salutes to the slain militant. When militants appeared,  emotional scenes were witnessed.  Some of the militants also chanted pro freedom and anti India slogans, eyewitnesses said.

Nasir belonging to a financially sound family joined militancy in November 2016. Nasir a graduate was also leading prayers(Imam) in a locals Masjid for at least two years before joining militant ranks, said his cousin Aadil while talking to Kashmir Vision.

He was pious and kind hearted boy and was offering five time prayers since childhood, he added. According to his mother, Tasleema Banoo, Nasir was an obedient son. She added that he was very intelligent than his other two brothers and two sisters.

Guest