A 22-year-old youth, who was killed after militants attacked an army camp at Kakapora area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district last night, was laid to rest on Monday morning amid pro-freedom slogans. Reports said that thousands of people attended the funeral prayers of the youth Bilal Ahmad Ganie son of Mohammad Ramzan at Narwa village in Kakapora. Mourners raised pro-freedom slogans while Bilal’s body was being taken to a local graveyard for burial. He was laid to rest amid sobs and tears.
Meanwhile, a complete spontaneous shutdown was observed in Pulwama district. All shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed in the town while public transport was off the roads. Ganie, a driver by profession, was killed in an exchange of fire between militants and the army at Kakapora around 10:15 pm last night. He was critically injured after suffering a bullet injury in his head, following which he was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. In a statement, police said that Bilal was killed in firing by militants in which a soldier also died. "Militants in Pulwama this evening attacked an army camp by indiscriminately firing at Kakapora resulting in a serious injury to one jawan of army and a civilian. Consequently, both the jawan and the civilian succumbed to their injuries," a police spokesperson said in a statement.
"It is learnt that taking advantage of the darkness, militants managed to escape. Police have registered a case in this matter and investigation has been initiated," he added. Meanwhile, the army in a statement said, “In a cowardly and provocative act of terror, terrorists carried out a stand-off attack on Kakapora Army Camp, one soldier martyred.” Internet and train services were suspended in Pulwama following the killing of Bilal. The cellular companies snapped the internet late Sunday night after a directive from the police. “The service was immediately suspended as a precautionary measure following the death of a civilian,” said an official. Railway authorities also suspended train service from Srinagar to Banihal.
"In view of law and order problem in south Kashmir, especially in Pulwama district today, as a precautionary measure, the Banihal to Srinagar rail service and vice versa remained suspended today (Monday). However the services from Srinagar to Baramulla and vice versa run as per schedule," a railway official said.