Thousands turn up to offer funeral prayers of militant commander in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Defying curfew restrictions, thousands of mourners Saturday turned up to participate in the funeral prayers of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

People not only from adjoining villages but from other districts marched to southern Tral town, the home of Wani to offer funeral prayers and participate in the procession.

The protesters were eulogising the 22-year-old Wani as a "martyr" and shouting slogans, "Down with India", "We want freedom". Anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogan also reverberated through the procession, locals said.

People offered funeral prayers in several batches. However, owing to huge rush of people thronging the town for final glimpse of Wani, the burial was delayed by several hours. The body was yet to be buried until last reports poured in.

Local newspaper reports said a group of militants also participated in the funeral prayer of their commander and they offered a volley of salutes to their slain leader.

Wani the poster boy of region's indigenous militant outfit, Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), was killed along with two associates Friday evening at village Waybemdoora of Kokernag town in Anantnag district.

Wani was among the most wanted militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir and carried a bounty of 14890 U.S. dollars (one million INR).

Police officials said Wani was face of new age militancy in Kashmir and represented young educated local boys that have joined militancy. His killing is seen as a major success to police and army fighting militancy in the region and a setback to militants in southern districts.

Authorities have imposed indefinite curfew and blocked cellphone and internet services in the region to stop protests and flow of information. The restrictions were being enforced by thousands of armed police and paramilitary troopers, who had laid barricades and coils of concertina wire to close roads. Endit