Ganderbal: Thousands of people on Sunday participated in the funeral prayers of engineering student-turned-militant in Nunar area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Chanting pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans, the mourners marched with the body of Rahil Rashid Sheikh from his residence to a local graveyard where he was laid to rest.
Rahil was killed along with an associate during a gunbattle with the government forces in southern Shopian district on Saturday.
He had reportedly joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant outfit on April 3.
Earlier, forces were deployed in strength at Beehama, Dudarhama and Tawhid chowk in Ganderbal town to prevent any protests.
The police had erected barricades at Lar, Wussan, Manigam crossing, Wayil Bridge, Capargund, Guzarbal and other entry points leading to Nunar locality.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in Ganderbal and Kangan towns to mourn the killing of Rahil.
Rahil is the second well-educated militant from Ganderbal district who has been killed in forces action since last year.
In 2018, scholar-turned-militant Muhammad Rafi from Shalbugh area of district was also killed in Shopian in a brief gunfight with the government forces.