ISLAMABAD: Indian forces used brute force on protesters in Pulwama district of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), injuring several of them.
The police and troops fired teargas shells on peaceful demonstrators in Hal and Tral bus stand areas of the district.
Meanwhile, Indian troops launched a cordon and search operation after an attack on Indian Army camp in Ahgam area of Shopian district.
On January 22, Indian troops martyred three Kashmiri youth besides injuring several others, including four journalists, in Shopian district of IOK. The Indian Army killed the youth during a so-called cordon and search operation in Heff Shirmal area of the district.
Meanwhile, Kashmiri people took to the streets and staged aggressive protests against Indian atrocities, despite harsh weather of the occupied valley. In response to rightful demonstrations of people, Indian troops and police personnel fired pellets and teargas shells to disperse the protesters, injuring several of them.
On January 11, Indian police arrested seven youth during the cordon and search operations in Shopian district of IOK. Local residents said that police personnel dragged the youth out of their houses and whisked them away in an armoured vehicle.
The International Forum for Justice and Human Rights (IFJHRJK) had said that a total of 355 people, including a 10-year-old boy, a pregnant woman, and three PhD scholars, lost their lives due to Indian state terrorism in IOK in 2018. The report released by the IFJHRJK stated that 95 cordon and search operations took place in the held valley in this year, leading to 120 houses being destroyed.
The report stated that a journalist, two mentally challenged men and a 14-year-old were also among the victims of Indian state terrorism. It added that 355 Kashmiri Muslims and 95 forces’ personnel lost their lives this year. The report further stated that November was the bloodiest month of the year with 49 people losing their lives. It also marked April 1 as the deadliest day, when 20 people were killed, while over 200 were injured in a single day.
