Solidarity with Kashmiris to be marked today

ISLAMABAD: Arrangements have been finalised to observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day throughout Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, besides rest of the world on Saturday (today) to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

Observing of this day means renewal of the pledge to provide all-out moral, political and diplomatic support to their legitimate right to self-determination being denied by India for the last 63 years by keeping Held Kashmir under unlawful and forcible occupation.

In AJK, all necessary arrangements have been finalised to observe the day with traditional zeal and fervour, and with the renewal of the Kashmiris’ firm resolve to continue their struggle for liberation of their motherland from the Indian yoke in order to reach their ultimate destination - Pakistan, through the accession of entire J&K state to this country under the spirit of the historic July 19, 1947 resolution, unanimously passed in the meeting of All Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference in Srinagar.

It would be a public holiday today throughout the country and in Azad Kashmir to show solidarity with the Kashmiris living under the subjugation of India.

Kashmiris too observe the solidarity day every year not only to renew their deep-rooted love and affection for Pakistan but also to reiterate their commitment to get their freedom from the Indian occupation.

It may be mentioned here that the day is observed every year in continuation of the first call given by then prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1975.

The day will dawn with special prayers for the martyrs of Kashmir, success of the freedom struggle and expression of solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

Omar hopeful of a positive outcome from all-party visit

Advocating sustained dialogue with the Centre for settling issues in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said he was hopeful something positive would emerge from the all-party delegation's visit to the state. "We are hoping for a positive outcome. We appreciate the current visit


of the all party delegation. Sustained interactions are a must to move ahead purposefully to settle issues amicably", Omar told civil society representatives in Doda and Kishtwar districts.
Chief Minister expressed confidence that recommendations of the delegation will be prompt and befitting and action by the Centre swift.

Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives during the disturbances in the Valley, Omar appealed to people to cooperate with the government in restoring normalcy.

Peace and tranquillity is imperative for both political and economic development in the state and everyone has to contribute in this direction, he said.

"We are committed to facilitate dialogue between the Centre and various shades of political opinion in the State and help work out amicable solution to all issues as per the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

کشمیر: کرفیو، ہلاکتوں میں بھارتی وفد کی آمد

بھارت کے زیرانتظام کشمیر میں دلّی سے کُل جماعتی وفد کی آمد سے چند گھنٹے قبل فورسز کی فائرنگ سے ایک خاتون ہلاک جبکہ تین اور زخمیوں نے ہسپتال میں دم توڑ دیا۔

گزشتہ تین ماہ کے دوران کشمیر میں ایک سو سے زیادہ ایسے جنازے اٹھے جو بھارتی فورسز کی گولیوں سے ہلاک ہوئے

بھارت کے زیرانتظام کشمیر میں دلّی سے کُل جماعتی وفد کی آمد سے چند گھنٹے قبل فورسز کی تازہ فائرنگ سے ایک اور خاتون ہلاک اور تین زخمی ہسپتال میں دم توڑ گئے، اس طرح وادی میں گزشتہ تین ماہ ہلاک ہونے والوں کے تعداد ایک سو آٹھ ہوگئی ہے۔

3 more die in anti-India unrest in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India — Three people wounded during recent protests against Indian rule died in Kashmir on Sunday ahead of a visit by a delegation of lawmakers seeking ways to defuse months of civil unrest.

Thousands of armed troops patrolled the deserted streets of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir's largest city, and other major towns and enforced a curfew for the seventh day.

The three men hurt during street battles with government forces last week died in hospitals in Srinagar, a police officer said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The Himalayan region has been rocked by widespread protests against Indian rule since June, with at least 105 people killed in clashes with security forces. With protests escalating over the past week, the government on Friday deployed the army for crowd control.

The human rights group Amnesty International urged Indian authorities to investigate the killings and order government forces to stop the use of lethal force against demonstrators.

"Amnesty International calls on the Indian authorities to take urgent steps to ensure respect for the right to life," the London-based group said in a statement late Friday.

Authorities relaxed curfew restrictions for seven hours in some parts of Srinagar on Saturday to allow residents to stock up on food and medicine.

Lawmakers from all major Indian national parties are to arrive in Srinagar on Monday to meet with Kashmiri leaders to find ways to address their long-standing demands. However, Kashmiri separatists said they would not meet with the delegation and have dismissed it as a public relations stunt by the Indian government.

Since 1989, a violent separatist insurgency and an ensuing crackdown by Indian forces have killed an estimated 68,000 people, mostly civilians, in Kashmir.

While that rebellion has been largely suppressed, public opposition to Indian rule remains deep, and the region remains heavily militarized with hundreds of thousands of troops, checkpoints along main roads, and harsh emergency laws still in force, creating further friction with the population.

Tens of thousands of mainly Muslim protesters have taken to the streets in recent months, stoning troops and demanding independence from Hindu-dominated India or a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan. Kashmir is divided between the neighboring countries and is claimed by both.

2 killed, 25 injured in Kashmir violence

Two persons were killed and 25 others injured as violent protests continued at several places in Kashmir Valley where curfew remained in force in Srinagar and other major towns for the fifth successive day today.

Five people were injured when security forces allegedly opened fire to disperse hundreds who defied the curfew and indulged in stone-pelting at Churpora village of Beerwah, 32 kilometres from here, in Budgam district, official sources said.

One of the critically injured identified as Fayaz Ahmad Dar was rushed to SKIMS Medical College Hospital at Bemina where he was declared dead on arrival by the doctors, they said.

Another youth Ghulam Rasool Bhat was killed and eight others injured when security forces allegedly opened fire and used pump action gun to chase away curfew-defying mob at Tapper Payeen in Pattan, 30 kms from here in Baramulla district, they said.

’کشمیری تحریک نئی نسل کو منتقل ہو چکی‘

پاکستان کے وزیرِخارجہ نے کہا ہے کہ بھارت کشمیر کے تنازعے سے آنکھیں چرانے کے بجائے حقیقت پسندی سے کام لے جبکہ کشمیر میں فوج کی فائرنگ سے مزید دو نوجوان ہلاک ہوئے ہیں۔

Death toll in anti-India unrest in Kashmir rises to 49 with 3 more shootings

The death toll from civil unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir has risen to 49 after three more people died from gunfire by paramilitary forces on demonstrators angry about decades of Indian rule over the Himalayan region.

Kashmir has been rocked by violent protests for nearly two months with demonstrators hurling rocks at paramilitary soldiers and setting government buildings and vehicles ablaze. In response, security forces have fired live rounds and tear gas into large crowds.

Clashes between demonstrators and security forces erupted in several areas Thursday after police and paramilitary soldiers fired warning shots and tear gas, said a police officer on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

بھارت کے زیر انتظام کشمیر میں گزشتہ ڈیڑھ ماہ سے عوامی احتجاج، ہڑتالوں اور کرفیو کا سلسلہ جاری ہے۔ کرفیو کی خلاف ورزیوں اور اجتجاجی جلوسوں پر سکیورٹی فورسز کی طرف سے فائرنگ کے واقعات میں اب تک پچاس افراد ہلاک ہو گئے ہیں۔ ہلاک ہونے والے افراد میں نوجوانوں کی تعداد زیادہ ہے لیکن ان میں کم عمر لڑکے بھی شامل ہیں اور سب سے کم عمر لڑکے کی عمر صرف آٹھ سال تھی۔