Kashmiris observed ‘Black Day’ on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and other parts of the world to mark the Indian occupation of the valley. During the day, various social and political organizations rallied to demonstrate against the Indian occupation over Kashmir. Indian troops entered Kashmir on this day in 1947. President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan in their separate messages reiterated their continued diplomatic and political support for the cause of the Kashmiri people. The president paid homage to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people and reaffirmed his support for their lawful right to self-determination. He said the United Nations Security Council through several of its resolutions has validated the Kashmiris’ right to decide their future through a fair and impartial plebiscite. Prime Minister Imran Khan also reiterated his commitment for the cause. He said the day marked a tragedy in the history of South Asia, and called for immediate implementation of the recommendation to set up a UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights abuses by the Indian forces. Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider on the occasion said the Kashmiris’ struggle for freedom cannot be suppressed. The day was observed with a complete shutdown in the Indian occupied Kashmir and rallies in several world capitals. Published in Daily Times, October 28th 2018.