Veteran Kashmiri leader and freedom fighter Syed Ali Shah Geelani was laid to rest amid high security at Hyderpora in Srinagar early Thursday morning around 4:30am local time, Radio Pakistan reported. The funeral prayers were attended by close friends and family.

Syed Ali Geelani’s son told AP that the family had planned the burial at the main Martyrs’ Graveyard in Srinagar as per his will but were disallowed by the police.

“They snatched his body and forcibly buried him. Nobody from the family was present for his burial. We tried to resist but they overpowered us and even scuffled with women,” said Naseem Geelani.

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AP also reported that the Indian authorities have imposed a near-total communications blackout in Indian-Occupied Kashmir.

Geelani was the former head of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) but quit politics last year in June. Geelani passed away at his home in Srinagar after a prolonged illness. He had been under house arrest for the last 12 years after leading several anti-India protests. Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that Pakistan flag will fly at half mast and “we will observe a day of official mourning”.