A shutdown was observed in Kokernag town and its adjacent areas in the Anantnag district on Sunday to commemorate the first death anniversary of local Lashkar commander Bashir Ahmad Wani alias Bashir Lashkari.
Lashkari was killed during a gun fight with government forces, along with a Pakistani national, Abu Maa’z, in Breenthi, Dialgam area of the district on this day last year.
Two civilians- including a woman-were also killed after government forces had opened fire on the protesters who were trying to help Lashkari and his associate to escape.
On Sunday at Lashkri’s native village –Soaf Shali in Kokernag- the mosques loudspeakers were blaring with pro-freedom slogans and songs while people from different areas thronged the village to pay their respects.
Entire village and Lashkari’s grave was decorted with Pakistani flags.
Shops and other commercial establishments remained closed while traffic remained thin in Kokernag, Achabal and Dialgam.
Listed as a category A++ militant by police, Lashkari had joined Lashkar-e-Toiba, during late 90s, when he was only 18 and was the longest surviving militant, when killed.
His father and mother had passed away when he was only a teenager.
He crossed over to Pakistan for arms training in 2001 – only to return a year later to be arrested by police.
He remained under detention for nearly 4 years but as soon as he was released he again joined militancy.
In 2008 he was again arrested and remained under detention till December-2014.
However, in the summer of 2015 recycled into LeT ranks and rose to become its district commander.
Lashkari had appeared in several videos which went viral on social networking sites.
Lahkrari had also asked people to remain vigilant from the people trying to create wedge between militant outfits.
Police had associated him with reviving militancy in Anantnag district and getting deceased Hizb commander, Burhan Wani, acquainted with the topography. Wani was gunned down by forces in Bemdora village of Kokernag in July 2016.
Police had also accused Lashkari of being behind the killing SHO Achabal, Feroz Dar-and five other police men. He had been named in several other attacks in Anantnag district and carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh over his head.