QUETTA, Nov 19: Aimal Kasi, who was executed on Friday last in Virginia for killing two CIA officials, was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard next to his father amid thousands of mourners on Tuesday.

The funeral prayers held the football ground of Ayub Stadium was attended by among others, judges of the Balochistan High Court, leaders of political parties, religious parties, MNAs, MPAs-elect, provincial ministers and other people from all walks of people.

“Aimal Kasi was a great soldier of Islam who refused to bow his head before America and gave his life,” Ulema said on the occasion while paying tributes to Aimal. “.. he sacrificed his life for the upholding the name of Islam. He is hero and martyr of Islam who fought against big power who himself is big terrorist,” Maulana Rafiullah, Khatib of Agha Qila Kasi masque, said while praying for the Aimal Kasi after his burial.

All shops, bazaars, markets shopping plazas and business establishments were closed in the provincial capital to mourn Aimal Kasi while black flags were hoisted on the rooftops of the houses and shops.

This was the largest mourning in the history of Quetta. People started reaching Ayub Stadium from 8am before the body of Kasi was brought escorted by heavy police contingent. People filed past the coffin to pay their last respects. The football ground of the Ayub Stadium was jam-packed with people belonging to all walks of life. The prayer was offered at 10.30am. Thousands sympathisers could not attend for want of space and later joined the funeral procession.

Later, the coffin was taken to the graveyard located three kilometres from the stadium in an ambulance followed by thousands of his admirers, friends and relatives. Many youth accompanying the procession wore black armbands.

Earlier, the leaders of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam including Hafiz Hussain Ahmed Sharodi addressed the mourners and condemned the United States for executing Aimal Kasi.

The speakers said with the execution of Aimal Kasi hatred would increase against United States in the Muslim countries. They urged upon the people to follow in the footsteps of Aimal Kasi and prepare themselves for fighting against anti-Muslim forces.

Traders and business community observed complete strike in the city and hoisted black flags on their shops. Protest processions were taken out by different organizations. Various youth organizations took out protest procession, which although were highly charged but remained calm and peaceful.