Pulwama: Amid restrictions, thousands of mourners participated in the funeral prayers of Lashkar-e-Toiba militant Ayoub Lelhari in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday. Meanwhile Lashkar-e-Toiba has paid tributes to slain commander Lelhari
Ayoub was killed in an ambush in Bandpora village of Pulwama district when he was travelling in a private passenger vehicle. The brief encounter had resulted in his death while two cops were also wounded in the shootout.
His killing had sparked violent protests in the district while authorities had imposed restrictions to stop protest rallies and clashes.
Witnesses said tens of thousands of people defied restrictions and reached his ancestral village-Lelhar. Though government forces had sealed entry and exit points, but people took alternative routes including lanes and orchards to reach the native village of the slain militant.
“Amid pro-freedom slogans thousands of people participated in his last rites. People bid him adieu with tearful eyes,” said an eyewitness.
Reports said that shortly after the culmination of last rites, clashes erupted between civilian protesters and forces in Kakapora area of Pulwama district.
Reports added that a protester sustained injuries during clashes after he was hit with a teargas shell near Samboora Bridge. The injured was shifted to SDH Pampore for treatment.
Meanwhile militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba has said that sacrifices are of vital importance to any freedom struggle.
As per the statement issued to news gathering agency CNS, Ayub Lalhari took arms in 2015 and retaliated against the Indian forces. “He took part in several fights against Indian forces and managed to get away with more than 5 rifles. His accomplishments and dedication promoted him from a comrade to Regional Commander. He sacrificed his life for the freedom of his people,” the statement said.
LeT Chief Mahmood Shah thanked the people who participated in the funeral prayers of Ayub Lalhari, endangering their dear lives. The whole nation is proud of the family members of Ayub Lalhari who never hesitated to undergo any sacrifices for the freedom. The blood of our Martyrs won’t go to vain. We won’t sit idle until every last of Indian forces have quit Kashmir.
Mahmood Shah strongly condiment the move by US to declare Hizb-ul-Mujahideen as a global terrorist organization. US is guilty of killing thousands of innocent civilians around the world, its move to declare freedom Fighters as terrorist is an utter act of hypocrisy.
The United Nations has 18 resolutions registered to Kashmir which grant the people the right to fight for their freedom struggle, including arms struggle. US has jeopardized the peace and stability of worldwide in its lifelong history, so has India in Asia. Both have compromised the freedom of millions of people worldwide.
The legitimate freedom struggle of Kashmir won’t be affected by these shameful acts. The real terrorists are Modi and their forces who are committed mass atrocities in Jammu Kashmir. If anyone can he a terrorist, it is India.
