Several journalists on Thursday said they were barred from covering the funerals of three militants slain in a gunfight with the government forces in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district yesterday.
A journalist told Greater Kashmir that the police had sealed Khanpora bridge to prevent them from covering the funeral of Lashkar commander Suhaib Akhoon. “We were forced to turn back after they (police) stopped us at Khanpora bridge,” he said.
Reports said that a few journalists managed to reach Khanpora where funeral was held for Akhoon by using boats to cross the Jhelum River.
Several Srinagar-based journalists were asked to return to the capital city by the police, said another journalist.
Eye witnesses said that restrictions were placed on the movement of mourners to limit the funeral gatherings.
However, they said, thousands still managed to reach Khanpora and old town area to participate in the funeral prayers of Akhoon and his two associates Mosin Mushtaq of Qazi Hamam and Nisar Darzi of Jamia Mohalla.
The three were shot dead by the forces in a gunfight in Binner village of the district yesterday.