Despite extensive military deployment around Panthachowk area of Srinagar city, thousands of mourners including females from Zewan, Sempora, Pampore and other areas participated in the funeral procession of local Hizb commander Sajad Ahmed alias Shada, 24, who was killed during a gunfight with Indian Army on Monday evening. The slain militant was laid to rest at his ancestral grave yard in Zewan area. Earlier hundreds of people who were seen waiting for the arrival of militant’s body clashed with police near Zewan area. The protesters marched towards Panthachowk where police lobbed teargas shells to disperse them. Amid pro-freedom and pro-Islamic slogans, the protesters attacked government forces with stones resulting in chaos and confusion in the area. Vehicular movement was disrupted for quite some time due to clashes between police and protesters. Senior separatist leader Javid Ahmed Mir while leading the procession expressed sympathy and solidarity with the familiy of martyr and assured people of Jammu and that Kashmir won’t allow anyone to waste the sacrifices of the martyrs and pledged that freedom from Indian bondage will be archived at any cost. He said the people of Kashmir have sacrificed a lot and biggest tribute to them would be that the Kashmiris continue the ongoing liberation struggle till it is taken to its logical conclusion. A relative of the slain militant told CNS that police authorities handed over the dead body to the family after we gave assurance to them that last rites of the martyred militant will be performed peacefully. “Despite my request to the mourners, they could not control themselves and clashed with the government forces,” he said. Sajad Ahmad Bhat was killed in a gunbattle with forces at Zakura on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday night. (CNS)