Thousands at terrorist's funeral, day after Kashmir unites against Amarnath attack

The funeral of one of the three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, killed by security forces near Budgam district in Jammu and Kashmir last night, took place this morning.

Rediff.com's Umar Ganie reports that despite heavy rain, there were at least 10,000 people at the funeral of Aaqib Gul, a resident of Gooripora,. The funeral which which began at 7:30 am ended at around 10:30 am. 

There was heavy police and paramilitary bandobast in the Haiderpora area near Srinagar airport where the funeral took place.

A senior police official said Aaqib used to be a shopkeeper, but joined the terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen recently. A pistol and a rifle were recovered from him.

The funerals of Javaid Ahmad Shiekh and Sajid Ahmad Gilkar, the other two terrorists, both residents of the old city will be held later in the day as there is curfew in the area.

A senior police official said Sajid had 22 FIRs against him and had been arrested on Eid recently, but released shortly after. An ISIS flag was recovered from him.

At Aaqib's funeral, mourners shouted aazadi and pro-Pakistan slogans and waved Pakistani flags. 

As a precautionary measure mobile internet services in Srinagar have been suspended. 

Based on inputs of the presence of some terrorists in a specific house, an operation was launched by troops of Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operation Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force in Radbug village of Budgam.

The joint operation was launched at around 6:00 p.m. yesterday and at about 8.30 p.m. contact was established with terrorists.

The security forces also recovered arms and ammunition and war like stores.

This came a day after militants attacked a bus carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.

At lease seven people were killed and 19 sustained injuries in the attack.


Image: Thousands gathered at Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Aaqib Gul's funeral this morning. Pic: Umar Ganie