Zakir Musa’s portrait displayed during Milad procession in South Kashmir

In an extraordinary development in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, the Sufi sect of Muslims displayed portraits of militants including that of al-Qaida’s Kashmir chief Zakir Musa during the Eid-ul Milad procession on Friday, police sources said.
Al-Qaida emphasises on Wahhabism that discourages shrine-going and even observing the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad. Milad celebrations are in complete contradiction with the philosophy of al-Qaida, which propagates extremism and call for Islamic caliphate.
Security forces allowed the procession but there were clashes in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district after some youth who were part of the procession pelted stones at the security forces after Friday prayers led by Mirwaiz South Kashmir, Qazi Yasir, police said.
Eyewitnesses said that as the procession passed through Achabal Ada, a large number of youth pelted stones on the forces who retaliated with tear-gas shells. The clashes continued for hours while two protesters were injured.
The youth then displayed banners carrying photographs of terrorists and shouted slogans in favour of Zakir Musa, even as thousands of Sufi Muslims thronged Srinagar’s famous Hazratbal shrine housing the relic of the Prophet.
The emotional devotees raised their hands in prayers reciting Quranic verses while taking a glimpse of the holy relic. Milad processions were taken out at many places where speakers highlighted various aspects of the life and teachings of the prophet.
Meanwhile, four Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorists were killed late on Thursday in gun battle in Budgam district. Hundreds of youth from Budgam and Pulwama tried to disrupt the anti-terror operation at Futlipora village in Pakharpora and six people were injured in the clashes.