Amid massive clashes and protests following the death of top Lashker-e-Toiba Commander, Abu Qasim, the streets of Bogam in Kulgam district of South Kashmir on Thursday flooded with the people including women and children to catch his last glimpse. 

As the news about his death travelled across the adjacent areas and subsequently to other adjoining districts, hundreds and thousands of people boarded the vehicles and marched towards the Bogam village amidst pro freedom, pro militant slogans to join his funeral procession.

 Qasim’s Jinaza was offered twice at Bogam Chowk and Bogam Higher Secondary School after which three villages laid the claim for his body who wanted to bury him in their respective villages.

“The situation was about to turn ugly among the emotionally charged people after laying claim on his body. To avoid any such situation the local elders had hectic deliberations and unanimously decided to hand over body to the local Auqaf committee for Bogam for its burial,” said Ghulam Hasan, local resident.

In the funeral of Qasim, the militants also joined the procession and offered the salute of three volleys to the slain militant repeating the militancy style of 1990’s when armed insurgency broke out in valley.

“After the funeral of Qasim suddenly some gunmen surfaced in an unending crowd and fired in air asa  salute to the slain militant. They were supported by the people with slogans of pro Azadi and militancy,” said a local person, wishing not to be named. 

 The successor of Abdullah Uni who was killed in Sopore town in 2013 and top catch of police, Abu Qasim, was active in valley for long five years.

“Our intelligence assessment suggests that he was far ahead of Abdulla Uni for his operational methodology. Unlike Uni who remained mostly confined to North Kashmir, he expanded his operational activities from North to South besides galvanized indigenous militancy,” said the top police officer, wishing not to be named.

 The official said that most of the times, Qasim would personally get involved in high profile militant attacks and successfully inflicted causalities upon security forces.

Early in the morning on Tursday when Qasim was gunned down after fierce gun fight, the forces intensified the search operation across the village since two of his accomplices managed to escape.

“During night two of his accomplices tried to give him cover for run. But we had zeroed in on him as he was our main target,” said the security officer on conditions of anonymity. “Although he lobbed several grenades and received the cover from other militants, we shot him dead”.

 He said the two militants who spotted him dead later ran for their own lives and hide in some residential houses.

Early in the morning, the forces launched the crackdown of 1990’s style and assembled at one place to conduct house to house search to flush out the hiding militants. 

However, the people from adjacent villages managed to break the cordon while resorting to heavy stone pelting. With massive stone pelting and pro Azadi slogans, they forced security forces to call off operation which later fired in air and lobbed dozens of tear smoke shells to quell them.

However, all roads leading to this tense village Khaniyapora remained cordoned by the forces who later seized five vehicles and detained 67 youth marching towards the funeral of slain Qasim from militancy infested Pulwama town.

Although police said that the youth were detained for forcing shutdown over the killing, the locals said that they were on way to join the funeral. 

 Profile

Qasim was active across valley as Divisional Commander for last five years and according to police was involved in scores of militant related activities.

He is believed to be the master mind of Udhampur Attack on the BSF Convoy on 5th of August, 2015 in which 02 BSF jawans were killed and injuring 12 personnel following which Pakistani militant Naveed was arrested.

Abu Qasim who carried the cash prize of one million was also held responsible for the killing of an Inspector of Police Mohammad Altaf Dar in Bandipora on 7th of October 2015.

He was part of the LeT squad which carried out Fidayeen attack at Hyderpora Srinagar Bypass in which 08 Army Jawans were killed. Case FIR 200/13 U/S 307, 326 RPC, 120 B, 121, 7/27 I.A Act in P/S Budgam has been registered in this regard.

On the directions of the said militant commander, cadres of LeT outfit namely Ab. Hamza R/O Pak and Abu Usman R/o Pak were involved in killing of Ex-Director of SKIMS Soura Srinagar, Dr. Jalal U Din along with his PSO in year 2013. Case FIR No. 82/2013 U/S 307, 392, 302 RPC, 7/27 I.A Act registered in P/S Pampore.

The said militant commander was involved in an attack on BSF Bus which took place near Kadlabal, Pampore and injured 06 personnel including Dy. Commandant and a case FIR No. 114/2014 U/S 307 RPC, 7/27 I.A Act registered in P/S Pampore.

On the directions of the said militant commander, cadres of LeT outfit namely Dujana R/O Pakistan and Showkat Ahmad Lone @ Ali Bhai carried attack on Police Party at Galander Pampore in which 02 constables of JKAP 11th Bn got killed and they snatched 01 AK-47 Rifle. FIR No. 119/2013 U/S 302, 307 RPC 7/27 I.A Act registered at P/S Pampore.

On the directions of the said commander, cadres of LeT outfit namely Abu Umer R/O Pak, Lateef Ahmad Dar R/O Chadoora and Reyaz Ahmad R/O Panzan are involved in killing of SHO P/S Chadoora in year 2013. Case FIR No. 216/2013 U/S 302, 307 RPC 7/27 I.A Act in P/S Chadoora.

On the directions of the said commander, cadres of LeT outfit killed 02 CRPF personnel in year 2013. Case FIR No. 204 / 2013 U/S 302, 307 RPC 7/27 I.A Act registered in P/S Pulwama.

The said militant commander was involved in firing at Batapora Tokuna on 04/11/2014 and FIR No. 113/2014 U/S 307 RPC , 7/27 I.A Act registered in P/S Awantipora.

On the directions of the said commander, cadres of LeT outfit namely Abu Hanzullah @ Chotu R/O Pakistan and other associates killed two SPOs at Court Complex Pulwama in year 2014. Case FIR No. 42/2014, U/S 302, 307 RPC, 7/27 I.A Act, 03 Foreigner Act registered in P/S Pulwama.

The said militant commander was  involved in killing of one Policeman and one Army Jawan at Qaisar Mullah Chadoora Budgam. Case FIR No. 70/2014 U/S 302, 307 RPC, 7/27 I.A Act registered in P/S Chadoora in this regard.