Srinagar: While the pall of gloom was descending across south Kashmir on Monday after the killing of three young local militants by government forces, the tiny hamlet-Sheikh Mohalla of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s constituency was echoing with the praises for Adil Sheikh who had donated a hard earning Rs 20,000 for the rebuilding of mosque damaged in floods of September 2014.

 Adil Shekh who hails from economically and socially a downtrodden family was known as philanthropist in his locality.In 2014, when the local mosque was substantially damaged in floods, the local people were trying to evolve the consensus for its rebuilding. “No one was coming forward and offering a generous donation and the issue of rebuilding mosque was lingering,” recall locals who are participating in his funeral procession. “Adil came up with Rs 15,000, much to the shock for us owing to his extremely weak economic conditions back home. But by his initiative, the work on rebuilding mosque started immediately”.

However, much to the disappointment of locals, Adil had not offered a single prayer in the same mosque since he had joined militant ranks when it was ready for prayers.

Son of an auto rickshaw driver, Adil, according to locals had again contributed Rs 5,000 few days ago for its further renovation.

As his shroud reached to his locality amid pro freedom and pro Islam slogans, the locals desired to keep his body in same mosque for one night before being laid to rest.

The slain militant is survived by father, mother, sister and two brothers. As Adil joined the Hizb outfit eight months ago, his two brothers are struggling to meet their ends by working as labourers.