SRINAGAR: A shutdown continues for the fourth day today in Palhallan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district to mourn the killing of a local militant.
Shabir Ahmed Sheikh of the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant group was killed in an encounter with security forces at Tarzoo near Sopore town on Thursday evening.
Shops and business establishments are closed and traffic is off the roads.
Police and paramilitaries in riot-gear have been deployed in strength and rolls of concertina wire placed to block entry to the village. Link roads in the interiors of the village have also been blocked.
Police say the steps have been taken to prevent violent anti-India demonstrations.
The nearby Pattan town, one of the main areas of Baramulla district, also observed a shutdown. The town had also observed a shutdown last Friday.
A resident of the area, Zahid Ahmed told Freepress that in the morning angry youth threw stones at a few shopkeepers who had opened their shops.
The gunbattle on Thursday had followed the arrest of a top commander of the LeT, Qari Naveed alias Fahadullah.
A Pakistani national, Fahadullah was the Divisional Commander of the Lashkar in Sopore since 2009 and was arrested late on Wednesday evening.
Inspector General of Police, Abdul Gani Mir said that during interrogation Fahadullah gave them vital links which led to the local militant’s killing.
Another militant, trapped in the encounter site, managed to escape, he said.
On Friday, the slain militant’s funeral prayers were joined by thousands of local residents from Palhallan and adjoining villages. They were telephonically addressed by senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
Geelani told thpeople: “People should always bear in mind the sacrifices rendered by the martyrs and not sell their conscience for petty things like government jobs. We should not forget the blood of our martyrs and keep pursuing our goal.”
