Mourners attend funeral of Hizbul Mujahideen ‘commander’; authorities impose curfew-like restrictions

Thousands of mourners gathered on Sunday at the funeral of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, who was killed in an encounter in Tral on Saturday, amid anti-India sloganeering by militants.

There were also fresh incidents of stone-throwing in parts of the Valley, despite curfew-like restrictions. Militants raised anti-India and pro-Islam slogans.

Bhat, whose body was handed over to the family on Saturday afternoon, was buried on Sunday.

One report suggests that seven rounds of funeral were held.

Bhat, who took over the reins of Hizb after the killing of Burhan Wani last year, was killed along with his associate Faizan Muzzafar in an encounter in Tral’s Saimo village on Saturday.

A militant was seen leading the sloganeering during the funeral prayers, which was attended by hundreds of mourners at Ratnusa, the native village of the militant commander.

However, the mourners dispersed peacefully after the burial.

Roads sealed

All roads leading to Tral were sealed by the security forces since the morning.

The authorities also imposed curfew-like restrictions in parts of the Valley and snapped mobile telephony to avoid live-streaming or circulation of funeral pictures.

A complete shutdown was observed in all towns of the Valley.

In Bandipora's Ajas village, locals offered funeral prayers in absentia for the slain militants.

A police spokesman said at least six incidents of stone pelting were reported from Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Sopore areas.

“To create disturbances, miscreants assembled on roads and pelted stones on police and security forces deployment and also on the vehicular traffic.

Restraint exercised

“In Pulwama, a group of miscreants pelted stones on 182 Central Reserve Police Force Camp at Tahab. The police and security forces used maximum restraint while dealing with the situation,” said the police spokesman.

Meanwhile, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik was arrested and shifted to the Central Jail on a five-day judicial remand.

Separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have called for two-day protests and a march on Tuesday towards Bhat’s village.

Calling for the shutdown, Yasin Malik told a gathering in Tral, “Sabzar was a brave son of the soil who strived for the liberation of this nation and infused new life in resistance movement. This unified protest and mourning should serve as an eye opener.”

In the wake of separatists shutdown call, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Muneer Khan said restrictions in parts of Srinagar and south Kashmir “will continue on Monday”.

Director, School Education, Kashmir Dr. G N Itoo said the government has decided to “close all schools and colleges on Monday”. Kashmir University also announced rescheduling of all examinations scheduled on May 29 and 30.

On Saturday, over 25 civilians were injured in the clashes, with the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SHMS) hospital in Sirnagar reporting that 12 seriously injured civilians had been admitted.