Srinagar: Thousands of people on Saturday attended the funerals of three Lashkar-e-Toiba militants including top commander held multiple times in south Kashmir areas amid gun-salutes by their associates.
Earlier in the morning, bodies of the trio including top commander Junaid Matto killed in Arwani village of Anantnag district were recovered from debris of houses razed to ground by government forces during an encounter. The militants killed in encounter were been identified as Junaid Matto, Nasir Wani and Adil Mushtaq Mir.
Police said Junaid “a notorious militant was district commander and was involved in a number of terror activities”. “He was involved in the killing of police constable at Bogund on 15th of this month in Kulgam. He was involved in Mirbazar police party attack where police official Mehmood attained martyrdom. “He was also involved in the killing of an ASI and Constable near Bus stand Anantnag last year. Many cases of terrorist activities are lodged against him,” said the police.
Meanwhile, thousands of people assembled at Khudwani in Kulgam district to attend the funeral of Matto. Reports and witnesses said that huge number of mourners including women staged massive pro-freedom, pro-Islam and anti-India protests. Reports said multiple funerals were held for Matto as number of people swelled with each passing time. Few militants also appeared at Junaid Matto funeral and fired in air to pay respect to their fallen associate.
Meanwhile, ten militants appeared at the funeral of Nasir Wani at Heff in Shopian district and gave him gun-salute. The police said Nasir Wani joined the militancy last year and was involved in militancy activities in the area. Among the militants include Saddam Paddar, a top Hizb commander, and they fired several shots in air. The militants also shouted slogans at the funeral of Nasir and later vanished from the scene. The funeral of Nasir was also attended by thousands of people.
In Pampore, thousands attended the funeral of Adi whol had also joined the militancy last year. Some militants including top commander Zakir Musa reportedly appeared at the funeral and fired in air to pay respect to their fallen associate. On the occasion, the mourners chanted pro-Islam, pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. All the militants were laid to rest amid sobs and tears in charged atmosphere. The burials by and large passed off peacefully. (GNS)
