In occupied Kashmir, thousands of people, braving inclement weather conditions, attended the funeral prayers of three youth in Baramulla town, on Thursday.
The youth identified as, Suhaib Farooq Akhoon, Mohsin Mushtaq Butt and Nasir Ahmad Darzi, were killed by the Indian troops during a cordon and search operation in Binner area of Baramulla district, yesterday.
Despite shutdown and restrictions, large number of people from various localities reached Khanpora and Old Town areas of the district to participate in the last rites of the martyred youth. Amid vociferous pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the mourners including men and women marched with the bodies of the martyrs before lowering them in their last abodes. Pakistani flags were also seen being waved on the occasion.
Media reports quoting witnesses said that the forces had sealed several roads in Khanpora and Old Town areas to limit the number of mourners in the funerals of the martyred youth. They said that heavy contingent of Indian police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in the town early Thursday morning. Internet remained suspended for the second consecutive day, today, in the district. Complete shutdown is also being observed in Baramulla district to mourn the killings.
Reports also said that even journalists who had gone there were not allowed to cover the funerals. A journalist, who wished not to be named, informed media men over phone that they were heading towards Khanpora when Indian forces stopped them at Khanpora Bridge in the town. “We were heading towards Khanpora to cover the funeral but, we were not allowed by the forces personnel to go beyond the bridge,” he said. He said that disallowing journalists from carrying out their professional duties has become a trend in the territory now.
Meanwhile, complete shutdown is as well being observed on the second consecutive day, today, in Shopian and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir to mourn the killing of six youth martyred in two separate cordon and search operations launched by the troops in Heff-Shirmal area of Shopain and Charar-e-Sharif area of Badgam on Monday and Tuesday. All shops and other commercial establishments are closed in the districts while public transport is off the road. People from the Shopian, Pulwama and its neighboring districts are visiting the houses of the martyred youth to offer condolences to the families.