On January 21, 1990, Indian forces unleashed a brutal massacre on Gaw Kadal Bridge in Srinagar, killing over 100 unarmed civilians and injuring more than 300 others.
The attack was part of an effort to suppress peaceful protests against the alleged assault of Kashmiri women by Indian soldiers.
Indian troops stormed residential areas, detaining over 300 innocent people. The massacre aimed to instill fear among the Kashmiri population and silence their calls for justice and freedom.
Despite international condemnation, including by Human Rights Watch, the Indian government failed to register an FIR for the incident. Rights organizations continue to pressure authorities for accountability, but no arrests have been made in the 35 years since. A half-hearted inquiry launched under public pressure ended inconclusively in 2014.
According to Al Jazeera, Indian forces have killed over 100,000 Kashmiris in the last 35 years, with the Gaw Kadal Massacre remaining one of the darkest chapters. Survivors and victims’ families are still waiting for justice.
The memories of that fateful day remain fresh for many, highlighting the enduring trauma of Kashmir’s unresolved conflict. The Gaw Kadal Massacre stands as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed and the justice denied to the people of Kashmir.
