Srinagar
As the news about the killing of three militants spread in Srinagar city, uneasy calm prevailed for a brief moment.
Government resorted to routine by imposing severe restrictions in old city areas since one of the militants was a resident of Malaratta in Nowhatta.
Three Hizb militants were killed in a brief overnight gunfight at Redgund area of Magam in Budgam district.
The slain militants have been identified as Aaqib Gul of Gooripora, Javaid Ahmad Shiekh of Beerwah and Sajad Ahmad Gilkar of Malaratta in old city. The killings triggered spontaneous shutdown in parts of Srinagar city.
While some of the markets and business establishments are shut in parts of Srinagar, a thin movement of traffic was witnessed in uptown areas of the city.
Though the bodies of Aqib and Javaid have been handed over to their families for last rites, the body of Sajad has been kept in police control room Srinagar, sources said.
Reports said that sensing trouble in the old Srinagar areas, police has refused to hand over the body of Sajad. “We have learnt that the body of Sajad would be handed over to his family late in the afternoon,” a resident of old city informed Kashmir Life.
Forces have been deployed in strength in the volatile areas of the city including uptown areas of Hyderpora, Goripora and Peer Bagh, on airport road.
In Goripora, the native place of Aqib, hundreds thronged his house to have last glimpse of the slain.
The mourners later carried to body of Aqib to Hyderpora amid massive pro freedom slogans. They were proceeding towards the residence of octogenarian Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani. Photojournalists covering the funeral said that the mourners wanted Geelani to offer the funeral prayers of Aqib.
However, forces were already deployed their in strength. They did not let the mourners proceed and the funeral prayers were finally offered in Hyderpora Chowk.
Aqib was later taken to his ancestral graveyard where he was laid to rest amidst slogans praising ‘Allah’ and eulogising His might.
