Shutdown, Restrictions paralyse life across Valley; Thousands participate in multiple funerals for LeT commander

A separatist-sponsored shutdown and restrictions imposed by the authorities paralysed life acros Kashmir valley on Saturday.
Srinagar District Magistrate Farooq Ahmad Lone said restrictions were imposed in the areas of Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj and Safa Kadal to maintain law and order.

Heavy contingents of police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were also deployed.
Train services between Baramulla and Banihal towns were suspended. Exams scheduled for Saturday were postponed by Kashmir University.
Shops, public transport and educational institutions remained closed.

The shutdown was called to protest the killings of three militants and as many civilians.
Top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, Junaid Mattoo and his two associates were killed in a gunfight with forces in Anantnag district.
Two civilian protesters — a 22-year old youth, a 14-year old boy– were killed in firing by the forces where protesters tried to break the cordon around the gunfight site.
Over two dozen other protesters were injured in the protests.

Meanwhile, Tens of thousands of people on Saturday participated in the funeral prayers of slain Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Junaid Mattoo in Khudwani village of Qaimoh tehsil of Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
At least four funerals were held for Mattoo at a local Eidgah as mourners continued to pour in from various parts of south Kashmir.

Mattoo and his two associates were killed in a gunfight with government forces in Arwani village of the district yesterday.
Two civilians were also killed in firing by forces on protesters marching towards the encounter site.

At least ten militants appeared in the funeral of slain Lashkar-e-Toiba militant Nasir Wani in Heff village of Shopian in south Kashmir and offered a gun salute.
First, two militants appeared in the funeral which was attended by thousands of people. “They touched the face of Nasir Wani and fired several shots in air,” said an eye-witness.

Later, more than five militants appeared at the scene and offered a gun- salute.
The funeral prayers were held at least six times until 11:30 am, when this report was filed.
Wani was killed along with commander Junaid Mattoo and Adil Mushtaq in a gunfight with forces in Arwani village yesterday.

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