Pakistan issues 'strong demarche' to India on Geelani's martyrdom anniversary

Islamabad condemns extra-judicial killing of five Kashmiris in IIOJK

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan issued a strong demarche to India on Thursday and expressed solidarity with Kashmiris on the first martyrdom anniversary of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

“Pakistan joins the Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) in paying tribute to iconic Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on the first anniversary of his martyrdom, today," said the FO in a statement. 

“Syed Ali Shah Geelani breathed his last in long-drawn illegal Indian custody on 01 September 2021,” the statement furthered.

According to the press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian Charge d’Affaires (Cd’A) and a strong demarche was made over India’s continued obstinacy and refusal to accept Geelani’s right to a burial in accordance with his will.

Read: Kashmiris observe first martyrdom anniversary of Syed Ali Geelani

The FO further added that Pakistan expressed deep regret that despite the passage of one year since Geelani’s demise in Indian custody, the Indian government had persisted in its intransigence and denied him a dignified burial in the 'Cemetery of Martyrs' as per his desire.

“More ominously, Kashmiris were not even allowed to pay respects to the revered leader at the graveyard in Hyderpora, Srinagar, where he was hurriedly buried by the Indian occupation forces in the absence of his family and followers,” the FO further stated.

The ministry further urged the Indian diplomat to convey to the government of India that the mortal remains of Geelani must be interred at the 'Cemetery of Martyrs' as per his will.

The FO also demanded that unhindered access must be given to his family and followers to pay reverence.

“Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s unflinching commitment to the Kashmir cause, in the face of persistent persecution and tremendous personal hardship, is unparalleled. He will be remembered for his unconditional love for Kashmir and Pakistan. May his legacy continue to inspire those carrying his mission forward to bring an end to the illegal Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement concluded.

Read: FO slams murder of Pakistani prisoner in IIOJK

Innocent Kashmiris killed

Pakistan also strongly condemned India’s extra-judicial killing of five innocent Kashmiris in Shopian and Sopore, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to the FO, the killings took place in two separate incidents.

Three Kashmiris were killed during an orchestrated "cordon-and-search" operation in the Nagbal area of Shopian district.

The statement added that two more Kashmiris were killed in a fake encounter in the Sopore area of IIOJK.

“In a brazen continuation of atrocities, Indian forces have once again left a trail of blood after carrying-out so-called ‘cordon-and-search’ operations in the IIOJK. Such operations are nothing but a hideous cover-up for rounding up and gruesomely killing innocent Kashmiris,” the press release read.

While stating figures of the extra-judicial killings of Kashmiris in IIOJK the ministry said “no quantum of brutality would break the will, perseverance and courage of the Kashmiris.”

According to the FO, India has extra-judicially murdered at least 666 Kashmiris since its unilateral and illegal actions of August 5, 2019, including around 144 this year.

“Pakistan also called upon India to immediately cease its systematic campaign of human rights violations in the IIOJK, abjure its policy of state-terrorism, scrap the draconian laws in place in the IIOJK, and let the Kashmiris exercise their legitimate right to self-determination as enshrined in the relevant UNSC resolution,” stated the press release.

Islamabad also demanded an impartial investigation of the relentless killings by the Indian forces in IIOJK.