Do not hand over Burhan Wani's body to the family: Sushil Pandit

Wani was a 21-year-old poster boy of militancy in the Kashmir Valley with a reward of Rs 10-lakh on him

After the encounter of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani, along with two other militants by Indian security forces, Kashmiri activist Sushil Pandit congratulated the Indian security forces and requested the government not to hand over his body to his family, warning that it may inspire other youth to follow in the terrorists' footsteps.

"It's a great piece of news and I must congratulate the security forces for the kill. Now, my only worry is that the government should not hand over his body to the family, as after that they will plan of a frenzied funeral. Please don't do that because if you do that, then you will create several new Burhan Wani's. There should not be a public funeral of a terrorist and he should not become a dead hero," Pandit said.

Wani along with two compliances were shot dead on July 8, in Kokernag area, 83 km from Srinagar.

He was a 21-year-old poster boy of militancy in the Kashmir Valley with a reward of Rs 10-lakh on him.

"Indian Jawans are fighting a brave battle with great risks to their lives and it s moment of great joy and victory for them. I congratulate them," he added.

Wani's death is a breakthrough for our Army and security forces, he added.

He was a school dropout and son of a school principle. He was the main recruiter and use to brainstorm many local boys to take up this path.

He was born to a well-off family in Tral in the southern part of Kashmir and joined the Hizbul Mujahideen at the age of 15.

Meanwhile, while paying tributes to Wani, All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani and Separatist leader Asiya Andrabi have called for a complete state wide shutdown on Saturday and appealed to the people to participate in his funeral prayers in large numbers.

Geelani also appealed to the people to hold funeral prayers in-absentia for Wani at their respective places who could not reach Tral.