Thousands of people attended the funeral of slain Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant in south Kashmir’s Tral area of Pulwama district, witnesses told GNS on Saturday.In a gunbattle at Aripal at Tral, a foreign militant identified as Madni was killed in an encounter with police and army early Saturday morning. The other militants reportedly two to three in number managed to escape from the spot.Meanwhile, soon after encounter concluded, the forces took over the body of slain militant. “However, the angry people snatched militant’s body from forces and took body in their possession,” witnesses told GNS.
“The militant’s body initially was taken in a procession to Hundura village. There were thousands of people in the procession. However, there were chaos and people from five to eight villages fought each other over militant’s burial,” a local told GNS, adding: “Due to scuffle, the militant’s body was taken to Patsuna.”Witnesses told GNS that at Patsuna the slain militant’s funeral prayers were offered several times as there was heavy rush of people coming from adjoining villages. “Also, funeral-in-absentia was offered at many villages for the slain militant,” sources told GNS.The women showered flowers and sweets on the body of slain militant, witnesses said. The militant was finally buried at Aripal in the presence of thousands of people amid sobs and tears. (GNS)