Land of funerals: Six local militants buried for good in South Kashmir

Srinagar: Six massive funeral processions were taken out for six militants in South Kashmir’s twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian on Wednesday.
Six militants were killed in two different encounter at Hafatnar Budgam and Shirmal Shopian on January 21 and 22. Among the six slain militants three were from Shopian and three from Pulwama district. The slain militants included Sabzar Ahmed of Lassipora, Syed Rabani of Nazneenpora Shopian and Touseef Ahmed of Nowpora Payeen Pulwama, Dr Shamsul Haq Mengnoo alias Burhan Sani of Dragad, Aamir Ahmed Bhat alias Abu Hauzif of Chidipora and Shohaib Ahmed Shah of Shirmal Shopian.
Tens of thousands of mourners participated in the funeral processions of these slain militants at their respective villages amid chill and restrictions. These militants were laid to rest after multiple rounds of funeral prayers.
Reports said that a couple of militants turned up at the funeral of Syed Ruban at Nazneenpora in Shopian and offered a gun-salute. “It was mourning everywhere in these twin districts of South Kashmir. Government Forces had sealed routes leading to the native villages of these slain militants but people defied these restrictions and took alternate routes to participate in the funeral processions,” said an eyewitness.
Reports said that Army resorted to aerial firing in Chillipora village of Shopian after youth hurled stones on a military camp.
Reports said that a group of youths returning from funeral prayers if the slain local militant pelted stones at the army camp in the area.
The army troopers in response fired a couple of rounds in the air to chase away the youth.
However, there was no report of any injuries.
Reports said that amid internet closure a complete shutdown was observed in Pulwama and Shopian.
In the ongoing month 13 militants have been killed. Besides these six militants, those who lost their lives in different encounters include Shakoor Ahmed Parrey of Laribal Tral, Touseef Ahmed Thokar and Zubair Ahmed Bhat both residents of Chursoo Awantipora, Zeenat-ul-Islam of Sugan and Shakeel Ahmed Dar of Chilipora Shopian. Besides, a non-local militant was also killed in Chowdary Bagh Pulwama.
Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani telephonically addressed the mourners at the funeral of Shamsul Haq, the brother of IPS officer in Shopian. Haq was also cousin of another slain Hurriyat activist turned militant Zubair Ahmed Turray, who was killed during a gunfight in April last year.