Prayer was organized by the Students Islamic Organization (SIO)
Kochi. A funeral prayer (Janazah) was held in Kochi for Yahya Sinvar, the Hamas militant leader killed by Israeli forces. The Students Islamic Organization (SIO) conducted the prayer, led by Samad Kunnakkavu, Assistant Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Kerala.
A similar notorious incident took place in Kochi in 2012 when a prayer was conducted at a mosque in Kaloor for Ajmal Amir Kasab, the main terrorist behind the attack on the Indian Parliament, after he was sentenced to death. The Kochi branch of the SIO posted images and details of the prayer for Sinvar on their Facebook page, referring to him as a “brave warrior and martyr”.
The images show many young people and students participating in the prayer. The Facebook post has received mixed reactions, with many expressing strong emotions. The majority of responses suggest that Kerala is becoming a hub for terrorism. Some comments expressed concern that if locals were mourning the death of the Hamas leader, who had declared Bharat an enemy, it shows how much they despise the country.
Yahya Sinvar was killed a few days ago in southern Gaza. Israel later released footage showing Sinvar being shot at while attacking a drone, and the post-mortem confirmed a head wound as the cause of death. It is not clear where the SIO held the funeral prayer. However, a poster released by the SIO indicates that a Shahadat (martyrdom) march and remembrance prayer were organized at the Heera Complex in Aluva. Senior Special Branch officials stated that they were unaware of the incident. A protest was also held in Kochi late at night in response to the killing of Sinvar.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have identified some individuals in the photographs.