Sofi was killed on Thursday along with his associate, in a day-long gunfight in Authoora area of Kreeri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla.

Thousands of people from adjoining villages assembled at his native village Khanpora where funeral prayers were offered.

A large number of mourners shouted pro-freedom slogans while carrying Sofi’s body in a procession to the martyrs’ graveyard for burial, witnesses said.

Meanwhile, in wake of the killing of militants, authorities have closed all colleges and higher secondary schools in Baramulla and Sopore. All educational institutions will remain closed in Rafiabad closed.