Amid a shutdown call by separatists and curfew-like restrictions imposed by authorities in parts of the Valley, hundreds of locals participated in the funeral of slain Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Bashir Lashkari in south Kashmir’s Kokernag on Sunday. Gunmen, apparently associated with the LeT, were seen accompanying the body. Lashkari, who carried a reward of ₹10 lakh on his head and was an ‘A plus plus’ militant, was killed, along with his Pakistani associate Abu Maaz, in an encounter on Saturday.
Abu Maaz, believed to be from Pakistan, was buried in Uri, north Kashmir next to other foreign militants killed in the past two years. In the wake of fresh unrest, fuelled by the killing of two civilians, Tahira (42) and Shadab Ahmad Chopan (22), in the clashes near the encounter site on Saturday, all rail service was stopped in south Kashmir. Internet service also remained suspended in parts of south Kashmir.
The authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in parts of south Kashmir and the old part of Srinagar city. Concertina wires were placed on major roads to block traffic and keep protesters at bay.
Separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik, had called a Valley-wide shutdown in protest against the civilian killings. Daily life was impacted as markets and towns saw thin traffic on the roads. Shops also remained closed.
