Pakistan marks sixth martyrdom anniversary of Kashmiri youth Burhan Wani

PM Shehbaz terms Wani a symbol of Kashmiris’ courageous resistance against Indian occupation

The government and people of Pakistan on Friday paid strong tribute to the life and legacy of Kashmiri youth Burhan Wani for his selfless contribution to his Kashmiri brethren to attain their inalienable right to self-determination.

Wani and his fellows were martyred on July 8, 2016, by Indian occupation forces in the Tral area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“While paying homage to Burhan Wani as the face of the indigenous Kashmir freedom movement, Pakistan once again urges the government of India to desist from indiscriminate use of force and relentless targeting of Kashmiris especially the youth,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The FO said that Pakistan also urged the international community to play its due role for a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

'Wani a symbol of resistance against Indian occupation'

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed Burhan Wani a symbol of Kashmiris’ courageous resistance against the Indian occupation.

The premier paid tribute to him and said the Indian troops in the disputed territory unjustifiably tortured Wani and forced him to pick guns instead of education.

PM Shehbaz said Burhan Wani was the dear son of a Kashmiri mother who used to teach the Holy Quran and of a teacher father who taught students.

He said that Wani had written a chapter of great sacrifice against the illegal occupation of India and added that even 0.9 million troops could not deter the commitment of such brave sons of soil.

Rich tributes paid

Meanwhile, speakers at a seminar paid rich tributes to martyr Burhan Muzaffar Wani, an icon of resistance. The seminar titled, “Burhan Wani an Icon of resistance” was organised by the Institute of Dialogue, Development & Diplomatic Studies (IDDDS) at Muzaffarabad, capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, according to an official statement.

Speaking on the occasion, former Secretary AJK, Akram Suhail said India has been continuously killing Kashmiris to suppress their voice for freedom, however, the tough resistance by the masses in general and youth, in particular, was remarkable.

He urged the present generation to understand the dynamics of Kashmir conflict so that they may be able to play their due role in promoting the cause of Kashmiris.

Another Kashmiri expert Raja Sajad expressed gratitude for Pakistan had always stood with Kashmir cause despite international conspiracies. He urged the youth to equip themselves with scientific methods and help end the Indian occupation of Kashmir.

Assistant Professor Mehtab Alam stressed the need for unity, saying Pakistan was created under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam with the help of unity. He stressed the need for sticking to the ideology of Pakistan to free Kashmir from Indian occupation.

Director IDDDS Dr Waleed Rasool while speaking on the occasion urged the youth to understand their responsibility and play their role for promoting Kashmir cause.

Tech-savvy icon of Kashmir freedom struggle

Six years after Indian forces martyred a tech-savvy young icon of Kashmir freedom struggle, many things have changed, but normalcy seems to be far off dream for Kashmiris as Indian forces continued unabated state terrorism to suppress peaceful resistance movement.

The cricket-lover Wani and his fellows were extra-judicially martyred by Indian forces on July 8, 2016. Representing his generation, the martyred youth rekindled the freedom struggle and defeated the fictitious Indian narrative about Kashmiris’ indigenous freedom struggle.

India had been striving hard for many years to equalise the struggle with terrorism, however, Wani frustrated these designs by sacrificing his life for the cause.

Every year, the Indian authorities impose strict restrictions to prevent people from commemorating the day and paying tribute to the martyred leader. However, despite restraints, people reach Tral (home town of the deceased leader) to pay homage to him.

Kashmiris are observing Martyrs Week from July 8 to July 13. Every year on July 8, Burhan Wani’s martyrdom anniversary is observed as ‘Resistance Day’ while July 13 as Kashmir Martyrs’ Day in memory of 22 people who fell to the bullets of Maharaja’s troops in Srinagar in 1931.