APHC Remembers Victims of January Massacres in IIOJK, Urges International Action

As IIOJK continues to deal with its painful history, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference calls for justice on the anniversary of the Handwara massacre and other tragic events in IIOJK.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has paid poignant tributes to the martyrs of the Handwara massacre and other tragic January events that have scarred the collective memory of Kashmiris under Indian occupation. January stands as a dark chapter in the history of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), marked by relentless brutality and suffering inflicted by Indian forces.

On January 6, 1993, over 60 civilians lost their lives in the horrific Sopore massacre, where Indian troops set the town on fire, destroying more than 350 homes and businesses. This act of violence was just one of several mass killings that took place in the region during the month of January. On January 21, 1990, Indian forces opened fire on a peaceful procession in Srinagar’s Basant Bagh area, killing at least 50 people. Only four days later, on January 25, 1990, the Handwara massacre occurred, where Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel cold-bloodedly shot 17 peaceful protesters. The violence continued with the Kupwara massacre on January 27, 1994, when 27 civilians were killed and 36 others injured by indiscriminate gunfire from Indian troops.

Paying tribute to the victims of the Handwara massacre on its 35th anniversary, APHC spokesman Abdul Rashid Minhas condemned the brutality of Indian forces, which he said had mercilessly targeted innocent civilians merely for raising their voices in protest against oppression. “On this day in 1990, innocent men, women, and children were ruthlessly killed by Indian forces in Handwara for demanding their right to self-determination,” Minhas stated. He further reaffirmed the Kashmiri people’s unwavering resolve to continue their struggle for freedom, emphasizing that the quest for justice and independence would persist despite the atrocities.

The APHC also used the occasion to call on global human rights organizations to hold India accountable for the killings in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). “The silence of the international community emboldens the oppressor. It is time for the world to act decisively to end the long-standing sufferings of the people of Kashmir,” the statement read.

Other Hurriyat leaders echoed these sentiments in separate statements, reiterating their commitment to the ongoing freedom struggle. They emphasized that the sacrifices made by the martyrs would not be in vain, and the ultimate goal remains the liberation of IIOJK from Indian occupation. In light of the numerous massacres and violations of human rights, these leaders urged international bodies, particularly the United Nations, to investigate these crimes impartially and demand accountability from India.

The APHC’s call for justice reflects the broader desire for recognition of the human rights violations taking place in IIOJK. The Kashmiris continue to endure immense suffering, and the international community is being urged to take meaningful steps toward addressing the grievances of the Kashmiri people and to hold India accountable for its actions in the region.

As the memories of these massacres remain etched in the minds of Kashmiris, their determination to achieve justice and freedom grows stronger. The sacrifices of those who have lost their lives will forever fuel the continued fight for IIOJK’s self-determination.