Kashmir’s Struggle for Freedom: APHC Denounces India’s Military Control

As India’s military crackdown intensifies in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the APHC demands international intervention, calling for a political solution rooted in self-determination and UN resolutions.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has strongly condemned India’s military approach to the Kashmir issue, asserting that Kashmir is a political matter that demands a resolution through the right to self-determination, as guaranteed by the United Nations.

APHC spokesman Abdul Rashid Minhas emphasized that Kashmiris have made invaluable sacrifices for their inalienable rights, creating a revolutionary legacy that resonates across the globe. This struggle for freedom is not just local; it is a part of the larger fight against oppression in modern history.

In a recent meeting held in Srinagar, the APHC expressed deep concern over the relentless oppression faced by Kashmiris since the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A over five years ago. These articles had granted Jammu and Kashmir a special status, with its own constitution, flag, and laws protecting the rights of indigenous Kashmiris to land, education, and jobs.

The Kashmiris are now besieged by over a million Indian occupation forces, shielded by draconian laws that grant them a free hand to kill and torture with impunity. This situation, the APHC argues, is dire and demands immediate international attention, particularly from the United Nations Security Council, which has already passed resolutions on Kashmir.

One of the most concerning issues raised by the APHC is the ongoing illegal detention of Hurriyat leaders and activists, who have been targeted for speaking out against India’s occupation. Key figures such as APHC Chairman Masrat Alam Butt, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, and Muhammad Yasin Malik, among others, have languished in prisons under harsh conditions. The Hurriyat has called for their immediate release, highlighting their importance in the struggle for Kashmir’s freedom.

The recent martyrdom of youth in a fake encounter in Srinagar was also condemned by the APHC, which paid tribute to their bravery. These deaths are part of a pattern of extrajudicial killings carried out by Indian forces, adding to the already unbearable toll on Kashmiris.

In light of these dire developments, the APHC has urged the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to take immediate action on the Kashmir dispute. The appeal is clear: the issue must be resolved according to the resolutions passed by the UN, which call for a referendum and the exercise of self-determination for the Kashmiri people.

Meanwhile, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) chapter of the APHC welcomed the continued support for Kashmir from Pakistan, particularly after a statement issued by the Pakistan Army’s Formation Commanders Conference. General Secretary of the AJK chapter, Advocate Pervaiz Ahmad, noted that the Pakistan Army’s commitment to the Kashmiri cause has boosted the morale of the people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral backing is crucial in sustaining the resistance against India’s brutal occupation.