Thousands of people on Wednesday morning bid a tearful adieu to the civilian killed in the firing of Border Security Force (BSF) amid massive anti-India and pro-Azadi slogans in Padgampora village of Pulwama district.
Since early morning, people from different villages of Pulwama started to reach Padgampora, the ancestral village of the slain, and participated in his funeral procession. The protesters, which include men, women and children, shouted anti-India, pro-Islam and pro-freedom slogans. Many pro-freedom leaders and activists also participated in the funeral.
The slain was laid to rest in local martyrs’ graveyard amid sobs and tears. The mourners were shouting slogans in favour of militant groups including Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, eyewitnesses said.
The slain, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, was killed after BSF troopers, according to locals, fired upon protesters who were protesting against the killing of two Lashkar militants namely Showkat Ahmad Lone and Gulzar Shaheen.
The funeral was followed by intense stone-throwing clashes between youth and government forces in parts of the Pulwama district including Newa, Litter, Padgampora and Muran. Many protesters and forces personal were injured in the clashes that continued till evening.
All the shops, commercial establishments and educational institutes were closed in entire district against the killings.
Meanwhile, almost all the resistance groups have condemned the killing of youth and also paid tributes to two slain militants. (GNS)
