‘Trio was behind militant recruitment, attacks on forces’
Srinagar, October 10: Thousands of people on Tuesday attended the funerals of three militants including top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen in south Kashmir’s Shopian district amid gun-salute and shutdown.
Last evening, three militants were killed in an encounter at Kellar area of Shopian district with government forces and the slain were later identified as Zahid Ahmad Mir son of Shamim Ahmad resident of Ganowpora Palpora Shopian, Irfan Abdullah son of Mohammad Abdullah Ganie resident of Heff Shopian and Asif Ahmad Paul son of Bashir Ahmad resident of Kathaw Hallan Shopian. Zahid was the commander of Hizb active since 2015.
Thousands of people assembled at the respective villages of the trio to offer funeral. 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 Zahid as number of people swelled with each passing time. Militants also offered a gun-salaute to slain Irfan at Hallan Shopian.
A police spokesman said that Zahid Ahmad Mir along with Irfan Abdullah Ganie were involved in weapon snatching at residential guard at Tukroo. “They were also involved in attack on Constable Mohammad Ashraf resident of Keegam at his residence. Besides the duo were involved in many case FIR’s of Police Station Shopian, Zainapora and Keller.
“Zahid was also involved in many firing incidents including firing on residential house of MLA Shopian, residential house of Farooq Ahmad resident of Tukroo Shopian, Police guard Pinjer and Police Station Shopian. Irfan Abdullah Ganie was involved in the attack on 55RR and 14 Bn CRPF at Heff. Asif Ahmad Paul was involved in case FIR number 75/2016 under section 379 RPC, 6 Forest Act of Police Station Keller.
Addressing a press conference, the commanding officer of 44 RR DS Nagi said the militants killed in Shopian were motivated youth towards militancy and have been instrumental in recruiting local boys in various militant outfits. He further said that the trio was also involved in number of attacks on forces and also ambushes. He alleged that they were also involved in extortion and threatening certain individuals.
In the wake of the killing of three militants, a complete spontaneous shutdown was observed in Pulwama and Shopian districts. Reports of minor stone-pelting were received from Pulwama Town in the morning but later situation normalized amid a shutdown. (GNS)
