SRINAGAR, India, Jan 30 (AFP) - Indian security forces shot dead a Muslim military commander in Kashmir when he was allegedly surveying a military complex, officials said Sunday.
Manzoor Ahmed (alias Kaka Moulvi) was gunned down overnight Saturday by paramilitary border guards at Karan Nagar area of Srinagar, the summer capital of the Himalyan state, an official spokesman said.
Moulvi, a deputy district commander of the pro-Pakistan Hizb-ul Mujahideen group, aroused suspicion while cycling near a Border Security Force (BSF) complex.
When he was asked to stop, Moulvi reportedly opened fire with a pistol. The militant was shot dead by BSF personnel.
Moulvi had been actively involved for the past seven years in the Muslim independence drive raging in Kashmir since 1989. Kashmir officials described his death as a major setback to the independence movement.
On Sunday, around 700 Muslims attended Moulvi's funeral here, witnesses said. The mourners carried the coffin through several streets of Srinagar, shouting pro-Islamic and anti-India slogans.
The authorities made no effort to halt the procession.
More than 25,000 people have died in Kashmir's campaign. India and Pakistan dispute Kashmir's ownership and control different parts of the picturesque province. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training Muslims. Islamabad denies the charge, but gives open diplomatic support to the fight.
