Kashmiris Commemorate Martyrdom of Prominent Leaders and Hawal Massacre Victims

As Kashmiris continue their decades-long struggle for freedom, the IIOJK prepares to honor the lives and sacrifices of its most revered leaders and martyrs.

Today, on May 21st, people across Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) mark the martyrdom anniversaries of two prominent pro-freedom leaders—Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone—as well as the victims of the tragic Hawal massacre.

In remembrance of these influential figures and the countless others who have laid down their lives for the Kashmir cause, a series of events have been planned. Seminars and Fateh Khawani (prayers for the deceased) take place, with speakers condemning the ongoing violence and human rights abuses inflicted by Indian forces in the region.

The public is urged to visit the Martyrs’ Graveyard at Eidgah in Srinagar to offer prayers and pay respects. These observances reflect the continued emotional and political significance of May 21 in the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination.

Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq, a highly respected religious and political leader, was assassinated at his home in Srinagar on May 21, 1990, by unidentified gunmen. What followed was a devastating event—Indian troops opened fire on his funeral procession in the Hawal area of Srinagar, killing around 70 mourners. This massacre is etched in the memory of Kashmiris as one of the darkest chapters in their history.

Twelve years later, on the same date in 2002, Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone, another influential voice for Kashmir’s freedom, was shot dead by unknown assailants. He had just finished addressing a gathering at the Martyrs’ Graveyard in Srinagar. His death was another blow to the pro-liberation movement in IIOJK.

To commemorate these sacrifices, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference-Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter is hosting a seminar at Kashmir House in Islamabad. The event honors all Kashmiri martyrs, including Molvi Muhmmad Farooq, Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone, and the victims of the Hawal massacre.

These annual observances serve as a powerful reminder of the price Kashmiris have paid in their pursuit of justice and freedom. For many, the ongoing occupation has not only robbed them of basic rights but also of some of their most respected voices and leaders.

The collective remembrance on this day reinforces calls for international attention to the human rights situation in IIOJK and renews the resolve of Kashmiris to continue their struggle for dignity, autonomy, and peace.