Daily Times

Approximately a year after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani in Indian-held Kashmir, the Indian forces claimed to have killed Wani successor Sabzar Ahmad Bhat among 11 Kashmiris massacred by Indian troops.

In a repeat of events from the previous year, curfew has already been imposed in the main cities and towns of the IHK while protests have reportedly erupted in a number of areas across the valley. The killing of Burhan Wani last year had sparked a wave of protests despite the imposition of curfew. Indian security forces had resorted to violence, resulting in the killing of nearly 100 people while thousands were injured and blinded due to the pellet guns. The violent tactics of the Indian forces to suppress the freedom voices have continued since then. The recent news of using Kashmiris as human shields by the Indian forces depict a bleak picture of human rights in the valley.

Analysts, both Indian and international, have warned the Indian government that the current wave of protests is indigenous and it cannot continue to blame everything on Pakistan. The steps like curbing freedom of speech by banning social media and using Kashmiris as human shields are only going to worsen the situation.

While Pakistan has condemned the Indian atrocities over the years, it does have a history of supporting militant uprisings in Kashmir. Although in recent times Islamabad has maintained that it doesn’t support any militant struggles in the valley, it has failed to make any headway in highlighting the issue at the global level. Last year, following the killing of Wani and subsequent clashes between protesting Kashmiris and Indian forces, Pakistan had gone on a diplomatic offensive by sending delegates to world power capitals to highlight the Kashmir issue. But the whole effort had miserably failed as no world power showed real concern and instead questioned Pakistan of alleged support and protection to militants.

India must realise that it cannot continue to suppress the Kashmiri voices through violence. Similarly, if Pakistan is to highlight the issue in the world sincerely, it needs to look beyond the militant organisations like the Hizbul Mujahideen that are seen as terrorist groups in the world.  *