Heavy security as Kashmir observes Afzal Guru’s death anniversary

Separatists have called for a valley-wide shutdown to protest against Afzal’s hanging and press for the return of his remains to the family.

Heavy deployment of security forces was witnessed in Srinagar on Thursday as Kashmir observed the fourth death anniversary of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, a police official said.

Afzal Guru was hanged in Tihar Jail on February 9 in 2013 for the 2001 terror attack on Parliament in which 14 people were killed. (PTI photo)

Markets, public transport, coaching centres remained shut and very little private transport was seen across the valley.

Separatists have called for a valley-wide shutdown to protest against Afzal’s hanging and press for the return of his remains to the family.

Read: JNU protests a year on: How the Feb 9 ‘anti-national’ event changed five lives

Afzal belonged to north Kashmir’s Du Aabgah village situated on the outskirts of Sopore town.

He was hanged in Tihar Jail on February 9 in 2013 for the 2001 terror attack on Parliament in which 14 people including five attackers were killed.

Sopore town was sealed by the security forces.