Srinagar: Thousands of people on Thursday morning participated in the last rites of slain militant Showkat Ahmad Bhat at his native village Dangerpora in Padgampora area of Southern Kashmir’s Awantipora in Pulwama district.

Showkat was killed in a brief gunfight with the government forces at Dougam Kakapora area of the Pulwama district during Wednesday night.

Reports said that despite restrictions, a large number of people participated in the funeral prayers of Showkat.

Eyewitnesses said that masked militants also appeared at the funeral prayers and offered a gun salute to slain militant.

Showkat, who was pursuing B.Pharmacy in Kashmir University, joined militant outfit “Tehreeq Ul Mujahideen” on October 2.