89th Kashmir Martyrs' Day: Complete strike observed in occupied Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis and Kashmiris marked the Kashmir Martyrs' Day on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), today to pay tribute to the martyrs of the 1931 carnage.

On July 13, 1931, around 22 Kashmiris were martyred by the troops of Dogra Maharaja for appearing outside the Central Jail in Srinagar in support of Abdul Qadeer, who was charged for instigating people to defy the Dogra Rule.

Functions and seminars across the AJK were arranged to pay glowing tributes to martyrs on this day. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) had appealed the Kashmiris to observe a complete strike in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) in view of the ‘Kashmir Martyrs' Day.’

In a statement, the APHC spokesman said the strike call was given to stress the urgent need for a peaceful and just solution to the Kashmir dispute. “It was also meant to underline the need for stopping the continuous Indian oppression against the Hurriyat leaders and the Kashmiri people,” he added.

“Kashmiri martyrs are the real assets of the freedom movement and Kashmiris will never forget their martyrs and will never forgive India for its crimes,” the spokesman remarked. He stressed that the Kashmiris will always remember the sacrifices of their martyrs, saying, “Death over slavery’ is the message of the Kashmiri martyrs for India.”

“India can kill Kashmiri youth but it can’t defeat them. The story of Kashmir’s freedom struggle is being written by martyrs’ blood. Kashmiri martyrs are writing the future of their land with their blood. Kashmiri martyrs are alive in the hearts of every Kashmiri,” he maintained.

You are not alone: FM Qureshi to Kashmiris

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke to Geo News and said that the people of Kashmir were not alone in their struggle for self-determination against the India. 

"My message to the people of Kashmir is we know you’re in pain but you should know you’re not alone. Every child, the Pakistan Army, everyone is with you. We will stand with you till you get your independence,” Qureshi said.

Responding to a question about what more could be done to highlight the plight of Kashmir, the foreign minister said Pakistan has raised the the issue on every forum with Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighting it at the United Nations.

“At every forum, he [PM Imran] has raised his voice for Kashmir,” said the foreign minister. 

Giving an example of how the world’s silence on the Serbian genocide killed thousands, the foreign minister said, “For how long will the world keep its eyes closed to the plight of the Kashmiris? Is the world about to make another big mistake?” he wondered.

When asked about China and its help, the foreign minister said Beijing has rejected New Delhi’s August 5 move.

'Martyrs forefathers of  today's Kashmiri resistance' 

Prime Minister Imran Khan also paid tribute to the people of Kashmir Monday for laying down their lives "for freedom and today they continue to fight and defy a Hindutva supremacist regime" which is adamant on wiping out the Kashmiri people.

The prime minister in his message on Kashmir Martyrs' Day, while saluting the Kashmiris for their continued struggle against the illegal and barbaric Indian occupation of occupied Kashmir said, “The shuhada of 13 July 1931 were the forefathers of today's Kashmiri resistance,” PM Imran tweeted.

“Their descendants have, generation after generation, laid down their lives for freedom and today they continue to valiantly fight and defy a Hindutva Supremacist regime bent on demographic engineering to wipe out the Kashmiri people and their identity,” he added.

The prime minister added that Pakistan will continue to support the Kashmiris right to self-determination till it is liberated.

Kashmiri struggle 'destined to succeed': DG ISPR

Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar in his message for the Kashmir Martyrs' Day, said earlier that the day was "reminiscent of utmost price paid for freedom by brave Kashmiris".

In a statement shared on his Twitter account, the Pakistan Army's spokesperson said: "Every single drop of blood shed, shall not be forgotten or forgiven. Decades of Indian atrocities failed to suppress insurmountable spirit and legitimate freedom struggle, destined to succeed, Inshallah."

Shehbaz Sharif pays rich tributes to resilient Kashmiris

PML-N President in his message on Kashmir Martyrs Day said the people of the occupied valley were questioning the international community, United Nation and its Security Council when would they get justice.

Shehbaz said the names of those who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom from the Dogra Regime under the British Rule, would be written in golden letters in the history.

"This resilience by 22 Muslims, who embraced martyrdom to complete the call for prayers, the Azaan, shows that Muslims cannot be defeated or subjugated.

“The roar of freedom struggle of the people of Indian occupied Kashmir still echoes through the occupied valley with full force," he said.

Shehbaz said the suppression by India had worsened in the occupied Kashmir after New Delhi’s illegal annexation and the imposition of a curfew and a total communications blackout since August 5, 2019.

“The people of occupied Kashmir deserve accolades and tribute of the highest order for they braved the brutality and fight every cruelty, tyranny of India with an iron will,” the PML-N leader said, adding these sacrifices by the people of occupied Kashmir are the cornerstone of freedom and can never be forgotten.