Thousands participate in the last rites of two slain militants

Srinagar: Thousands of people participated in the last rites of two South Kashmir militants at two different places in Pulwama and Kulgam districts on Wednesday.
Authorities had handed over the bodies of Shiraz Ahmed Sheikh of Lajura Pulwama and Mudasir Ahmed Bhat of Parigam Kulgam who had been killed in a gunfight by army in Tangdhar area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Their bodies were exhumed on the request of their families and they were brought to their respective native villages for proper burial.
Eyewitnesses said four back to back funeral prayers were offered for Parigam militant Mudasir Ahmed Bhat. Thousands of people participated in his last rites while a peaceful rally was carried out to mourn the death of the local militant. The peaceful protesters waved green Kashmiri flags and raised pro-freedom slogans.
Reports said that the district observed a shutdown to mourn the death of the militant. Stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from main town Kulgam where all shops and business establishments remained shut.
Mudasir was a physical teacher. Before going missing, he was posted at Shirpora Frisal area of Kulgam district. He is survived by a brother, sister and parents.
Reports from Lajura Pulwama said that a large number of people participated in the last rites of slain militant Shiraz Ahmed Sheikh. The protesters took out a peaceful rally and raised pro-freedom slogans. Witnesses said that five back to back funeral prayers were offered for the slain militant. The district observed a complete shutdown to mourn the killing.
Meanwhile, authorities suspended the Internet service in parts of south Kashmir following the handing over of the bodies of two local militants to the next of their kin.
Reports said the Internet service was snapped in the twin districts of Pulwama and Kulgam as a “precautionary measure” to avoid any disturbances.