Srinagar: One travelled almost 50 kilometers to be hit with bullet in head, while another youth killed left behind a wailing mother who had lost her vision few years back. Five civilians were killed after clashes erupted as the gunfight raged between holed up militants and government forces that ended with the death of five militants.
Clashes between protesting youth and government forces have become a routine, where people try, risking their lives, to save and help militants escape to safety.
All the appeals by, no less than Mehbooba Mufti, DGP SP Vaid, Indian Army chief have fallen to deaf ears. People are like ‘thronging’ to encounter sites where bullets fly, that gives an understanding what DGP SP Vaid said in his appeal to stay away from ground zero.
“No marriage of militants is being solemnized at these sites, stay away,” Vaid had said but all seems to fall to deaf ears and people ‘keep thronging to such zones’.
Zubair Ahmad Nengroo, 17
‘Were is my son,” cries Mehbooba Begum, mother of 17 year old boy Zubair Ahmad Nengroo, killed in Shopian on Sunday. She has lost her vision two years back and Zubair would help her with house hold works.
Five rounds of funerals were held for Zubair, resident of Ayangund Rajpora Village of Pulwama district on Monday.
He was killed during clashes after gunfight between militants and government forces broke out in Shopian on Sunday.
Deceased, Zubair Ahmad Nengro, received fire arm injuries in chest, abdomen and shoulder.
Zubair’s mother lost eye sight two years back and he was the most helpful for her.
“He would always be with the mothers side, lending her helpful hand. He would wash utensils and milk cows,” family members said.
Broken, family members of Zubair described her mother for she could not see his son one last time.
“He was home when news of encounter in Shopian spread,” they said.
According to family members they later received the call later that Zubair has died due to fire injury.
“Locals tried to shift him to district hospital shopian where he was declared dead,” said Altaf Ahmad, neighbour of Zubair
Zubair Ahmad Negroo 17, son of Abdul Rajab Negroo R/o of ayengund Rajpora was student of 11th class and studied at higher secondary school Rajpora.
“He was helpful to neighbors and would help them in every way he could,” said one of his relative.
Five funeral prayers were held for slain Zubair before he was buried at the local grave yard at around 6 pm amid anti India slogans.
Nisar Ahmad Kumar, 15
Three rounds of funeral prayers were held for Nisar Ahmad Kumar, 15, before being laid to rest.
Nisar, s/o Ghulam Mohammad Kumar, comes from a poor family living in Arihal village of pulwama.
He was hit with bullet near encounter site
“Nisar had sustained a bullet injury in his stomach during clashes and was shifted to SMHS Srinagar where he succumbed to his injuries,” locals said.
He was a 9th class student at government higher secondary Arihal and was youngest among two of his siblings.
Sajad Ahmad Rather, 22.
Four rounds of funerals were held for Sajad Ahmad Rather 22, from Sehpora Dooru Anantnag, almost fifty kilometers from the encounter site.
“Sajad had travelled all the way from Sehpora, which falls in Verinag belt of district Anantnag, to Shopian district were fell to bullets trying to save holed up militants,” locals said.
Sajad had received bullet in head during the clashes that erupted after gunfight between militants and government forces erupted on Sunday.
Sajad, s/o Manzoor Ahmad Rather of Sehpora Dooru, Anantnag.
Sajjad’s family came to know about his death after loudspeakers around the locality started reverberating his name as being martyred in Shopian.
“They are still is shock,” locals said.
Locals said that Sajad had left studies after clearing ninth standard exams to support his family who were facing financial constraints.
Sajjad is survived by parents, an elder brother and two sisters.
Sajjad’s father has left work due to bad health.
(pic used for representational purposes)