Commemorative Rally Held in Muzaffarabad
A rally took place in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday to mark the 10th martyrdom anniversary of Burhan Muzaffar Wani. The event drew leaders from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), government officials, refugees from Indian-occupied Kashmir, and a large number of young Kashmiris.
Burhan Wani, a 21-year-old prominent Kashmiri activist, was killed on July 8, 2016. His death sent shockwaves through the region and brought the long-standing conflict in Indian-occupied Kashmir to the forefront of international attention. The anniversary sparked widespread protests, leading to further violence by Indian occupation forces.
Participants and Procession
AJK Prime Minister's spokesperson Shaukat Javed Mir, Muzaffarabad Development Authority Chairman Yasir Gilani, APHC leaders, government employees, and civil society members participated in the rally. The procession began at Burhan Muzaffar Wani Chowk and concluded at Alamdar Chowk. Participants carried Pakistani and AJK flags while chanting slogans against India and in support of Pakistan and Wani.
Speakers Highlight Legacy of Resistance
Addressing the gathering, speakers noted that July 8 is observed across the Line of Control (LoC) as a "Day of Resistance" in remembrance of Wani. They described him as "a symbol of the Kashmir freedom movement," adding that his struggle continues to inspire Kashmiri youth on both sides of the divide.
Shaukat Javed Mir stated that the people of occupied Kashmir remain committed to their struggle for self-determination and support accession to Pakistan. He emphasized that many young people in the territory still follow Wani's legacy. Mir condemned India for human rights violations, highlighting that over 97,000 Kashmiris have been killed, 22,000 women widowed, and more than 4,000 young people imprisoned by Indian-occupying forces over the past 36 years.
