Thousands participated in funeral procession of police officer’s militant son
Massive clashes in Pulwama, complete shutdown in Shopian
Despite restrictions, extensive military deployment around Karimabad area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, thousands of people including females from adjoining hamlets participated in the funeral procession of local Hizb militant Afaq Ahmed Bhat, the 22 years old son of a police officer, who along with his associate Manan Ahmed Dar was killed during a gunfight with Indian Army on Monday evening in Drubgam hamlet of the district which witnessed violent protests after the culmination of the encounter.
Eyewitnesses told CNS that the extensive military and police deployment around Karimabad and adjoining areas failed to prevent thousands of mourners from marching towards Karimabad. Reports said that at least 45,000 mourners who had gathered from different parts of the district at Karimabad participated in the funeral procession of the slain militant.
Carrying black and green flags the mourners chanted pro-freedom and anti-India slogans throughout the funeral ceremony.
One of the cousins of slain militant told CNS that police authorities handed over the dead body to the family after they gave assurance to them that last rites of the martyred militant will be performed peacefully. “Despite my request to the mourners, they could not control themselves and clashed with the government forces,” he said.
Reports said that to keep people at bay, authorities imposed undeclared curfew in Pulwama and adjoining areas. Barricades were created at certain spots; however people forced government forces to retreat after they heavily targeted them with stones. Reports said that soon after the culmination of funeral procession, thousands of people marched towards Pulwam district. Amid anti-India, pro-Islamic slogans, the protesters marched towards the DC office, however, police and CRPF swung into action and resorted to massive teargas shelling. Reports said that the government forces resorted to aerial firing when the protesters continued to attack them with stones. The clashes between protesters and the government forces continued for hours resulting in the injuries of scores of people.
Eyewitnesses said that even women were seen pelting stones on police, Army and CRPF personnel. “The situation is tense but under control,” said a police official.
Meanwhile, thousands of people also participated in the funeral procession of another Hizb militant Manan Ahmed Dar. Witnesses said that as Manan’s body reached his native village more than 20,000 people amid pro-freedom slogans assembled and participated in his funeral prayers.
“Soon after the body of Manan was laid to rest in Martyrs grave yard at Amirabad Shopian, hundreds of people attacked government forces with stones.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in Pulwama and Shopian districts to mourn the death of these militants. All the shops and business establishments remained shut and transport did not ply on the roads.
Pertinently, two local militants Afaq Ahmed Bhat son of Abdul Rashid Bhat a resident of Karimabad and Manan Ahmed Dar son of Bashir Ahmed Dar were killed in an encounter at Drabgam area of Pulwama district on Monday evening. Afaq, an associate of Hizb Commander Burhan Wani was the son of a Jammu Kashmir Police Officer who had recently graduated from Degree College Pulwama.(CNS)
