"There cannot be any compromise on terrorism," Home Ministry’s official sources said, adding it was "a matter of concern that many protesters are coming out in support of militants."
The Home Ministry told Sputnik that Wani’s death was a "clear setback" to home-grown militancy and would prevent more youths from joining anti-government insurgency.
"He was becoming an icon… Arresting him or getting him alive would have been extremely difficult," the sources said, adding security forces had been asked to "exercise restraint" to avoid civil casualties.
The region of Kashmir has been disputed by India and Pakistan since the dissolution of British India and the establishment of the two countries in 1947. Some local residents, especially those residing in the Kashmir Valley, call for greater autonomy or even independence from India.