Srinagar: Multiple rounds of funeral prayers were held on Thursday for the slain militant Sameer Ahmad Wani at his native village of Odoo in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Wani was killed along with an associate Firdous Ahmad of Ganawpora in a gunfight with government forces in Chaigund village of the district last night.

According to the reports, thousands of people reached Odoo village early today despite restrictions to take part in the last rites of Wani.

An eyewitness said that funeral prayers were held at least five times to accommodate the massive rush of the people. He said that the mourners raised pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans during the funeral.

Meanwhile, Internet services continued to remain suspended in the twin districts of Shopian and Pulwama since last evening.

A 17-year-old civilian, Shakir Ahmad Mir was also killed during the gunfight. Mir succumbed to his injuries at Primary Health Centre Rajpora Pulwama. Two girls were also hit by bullets during the gunfight. They are being treated for “critical” injuries in Srinagar hospitals.

Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in twin districts of Shopian and Pulwama districts in South Kashmir against the killings of two militants and a civilian during a gunfight.

Reports said that all business establishments, private institutions are closed in both the areas while public transport is off the roads.

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