Top Hizb ul Mujahideen commander, Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, was laid to rest on 28th May Sunday, in his home town Tral, amid massive pro-freedom sloganeering, while the Kashmir valley remained shut against the killing.
Sabzar, along with teenage militant, Faizan Muzaffar Bhat, died fighting the Indian armed forces in Saimoo village in Tral in the Pulwama district on Saturday morning. Hundreds of people had unsuccessfully tried to help save the militants flee the encounter site. The encounter had started on late Friday night.
Two houses were completely damaged after the armed forces used heavy artillery to fight the militants. Debris had to be later searched using demolition machinery.
Locals of Saimoo village claim that two more militants were present in the house, which was cordoned off by the forces, but they “managed to give a slip to the forces”.
One youth was killed and seven others received bullet injuries, in the forces’ action during protests in Tral, after the news of Sabzar’s killing spread across Kashmir.
Soldiers of the Indian armed forces standby during the encounter, in which Hizb ul Mujahideen commander, Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, was killed. Sabzar had joined the militant ranks and was a close aide of popular militant commander Burhan Wani. (FPK Photo/Vikar Syed)
Burnt down structure inside which Hizb commander Sabzar Ahamd was present, along with teenage militant Faizan Muzaffar. Sabzar and Faizan died fighting Indian armed forces in the Tral area of Kashmir. (FPK Photo/Vikar Syed)
Blood stained boot (bottom right) and belt (top right) of Sabzar Ahamad, Hizb commander, who died fighting Indian armed forces in the Tral area of Kashmir. (FPK Photo/Vikar Syed)
Multiple bullet marks can be seen at the gate of the compound where militant commander Sabzar Ahmad was killed, along with one other militant, Faizan Muzaffar. Sabzar and Faizan died fighting Indian forces in the Tral area of Kashmir. (FPK Photo/Vikar Syed)
Body of militant commander Sabzar Ahamad (center) being taken to his house in Tral. Jammu and Kashmir Police handed over the body of Sabzar to his family on Saturday evening. (FPK Photo/Vikar Syed)
Masked men received the body of militant commander Sabzar Ahamad near his house in Tral. Jammu and Kashmir Police handed over the body of Sabzar, who died fighting Indian armed forces in Kashmir, to his family on Saturday evening. (FPK Photo/Vikar Syed)
Body of militant commander Sabzar Ahamad (center) being taken to his house in Tral. Jammu and Kashmir Police handed over the body of Sabzar to his family on Saturday evening. (FPK Photo/Syed Shahriyar)
Body of militant commander Sabzar Ahamad (center) being taken for burial in Tral. Sabzar was killed in a gunfight with Indian armed forces of Saturday. (FPK Photo/Syed Shahriyar)
Women crying during the funeral of militant commander Sabzar Ahamad. Sabzar was killed in a gunfight with Indian armed forces on Saturday. (FPK Photo/Vikar Syed)
A young girl at the funeral of militant commander Sabzar Ahamad. Sabzar was killed in a gunfight with Indian armed forces on Saturday. (FPK Photo/Syed Shahriyar)
People walk as flowers petals and almonds are thrown at the body of militant commander, Sabzar Ahamad (not in photo). Flowers and almonds are customarily thrown at bridegrooms in Kashmir. Sabzar was killed in a gunfight with Indian armed forces on Saturday. (FPK Photo/Syed Shahriyar)
Children lead the funeral procession and raise slogans during the funeral of militant commander, Sabzar Ahamad (not in photo). Sabzar was killed in a gunfight with Indian armed forces on Saturday. (FPK Photo/Syed Shahriyar)
Women crying during the funeral of militant commander Sabzar Ahamad. Sabzar was killed in a gunfight with Indian armed forces on Saturday. (FPK Photo/Syed Shahriyar)
Sabzar, a trusted aide of slain Hizb commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani, joined the militant outfit in 2015 when latter’s brother – Khalid Muzaffar – was killed by the forces in the forests of Tral.
Faizan had joined Hizb in March this year when he, along with another youth Umer Ahmad, snatched a rifle from a forces personnel in the main town Tral, where clashes were going on between the armed forces and civilian protesters.
Kashmir Valley observed a shutdown after the news about death of the two militants spread. Hurriyat conference, the joint resistance leadership, while paying tributes to Sabzar and Faizan asked the people to observe a shutdown on Sunday and Monday, and march towards Tral on Tuesday.
The bodies of Sabzar and Faizan were handed over to their families around 6 pm on Saturday at the Police Station Tral. Although Faizan was buried last evening, Sabzar was laid to rest early on Sunday.
Pictures by Vikar Syed & Syed Shahriyar
