ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: As many as 23 people have been martyred and more than 200 others injured in occupied Kashmir due to Indian troops firing at demonstrators against the killing of top Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani.
Last Friday, three Mujahideen including Hizbul Mujahideen Chief of Operations Burhan Wani were killed by Indian troops in Kokernag area of Kashmir’s southern Anantnag district. Burhan Wani’s death triggered massive anti-India and pro-freedom protests across the held valley and a shutdown call by Hurriyat leadership.
Later on Sunday, the authorities imposed curfew in held Kashmir but massive protests continued which also resulted in civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, shutter down also continued in occupied Kashmir on Monday against the killing spree unleashed by Indian army and police following the martyrdom of Burhan Wani.
People in every nook and cranny of the State came to the streets in large numbers and held forceful anti-India demonstrations while defying curfew and other restrictions.
Nawaz urges India to respect human rights in occupied Kashmir
In a statement issued on Monday, while expressing concern and deep sorrow over Burhan Wani and other innocent Kashmiris at the hands of India troops in occupied Kashmir, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged India to respect human rights in the valley.
The prime minister said that massacre of citizens by Indian forces and use of brutal force against Kashmiris is regrettable. He said that unarmed Kashmiris cannot be deterred from their rightful struggle for self-determination on gunpoint.
Sharif said that right to self-determination is just demand of Kashmiris in the light of United Nations resolutions. He called on India to fulfill its commitment to hold plebiscite in Kashmir to ascertain will of the people for their future alignment with either Pakistan or India.
The prime minister also expressed concerns over continued house arrest of Kashmiri leaders.