Srinagar: In occupied Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of terrorism, martyred two youth in Pulwama district, today.
The youth identified as Shahid Ahmad and Inayat Ahmad were killed during a cordon and search operation launched by the troops at Drabgam in the district. The troops also razed to rubble a residential house during the operation. Braving snowfall and restrictions, thousands of people thronged Drabgam and Arihal villages in the district, the native places of the two martyrs, and participated in their last rites. According to witnesses, 11 back to back funeral prayers were held for the martyred youth to accommodate the huge rush of mourners.
Earlier, the killing of the youth triggered anti-India protests in the area. Intense clashes between the troops and the protesting youth erupted when the forces’ personnel lobbed tear smoke shells to quell the protests. Complete shutdown was observed in Pulwama town, today, to mourn the killings. The authorities suspended mobile internet services in the district. Shutdown was also observed in Ajas area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, today, to mark the 27th martyrdom anniversary of the four civilians killed on this day in 1992 by the troops of Indian Border Security Force.
The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Gilani, and other Hurriyat leaders paid glowing tributes to the martyred youth. Gilani regretted that the stubborn attitude of India regarding the globally accepted Kashmir dispute and dealing with it only militarily had created death and destruction in the territory. This Indian mindset, he said, has threatened even the idea of peace and stability of the region.
Meanwhile, protests were held under the banner of the Joint Resistance Leadership at Hyderpora, Maisuma and Nowhatta areas in Srinagar, today, against the continued detention of the Kashmiri political prisoners languishing in different jails. Raising slogans against the authorities, the protesters demanded immediate release of the Kashmiri inmates.
On the other hand, the data issued by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service, today, revealed that the Indian troops, in their continued acts of state terrorism, martyred 18 Kashmiris during the last month of January. These killings rendered two women widowed and two children orphaned. As many as 126 people were injured when the troops resorted to brute force including firing of bullets, pellets and teargas shells against the mourners and peaceful protesters. 93 civilians including Hurriyat leaders and activists were arrested. The forces destroyed 4 residential houses during the month.
