Kashmiris to mark the completion of 76 years since the unlawful Indian occupation of their land on February 5th.
Every year on this date, Kashmiris protest against India's oppressive rule, a dark chapter that began without any legal or ethical justification.
Back in history, 76 years ago, Indian forces seized control of Kashmir without any constitutional or moral grounds.
During the partition of British India, the local leadership in Kashmir had opted for accession to Pakistan.
However, Maharaja Hari Singh sought military assistance from India in exchange for aligning with them.
Today, India maintains an illegal presence in the Muslim-majority region, deploying nearly 1 million troops.
The people of occupied Kashmir have endured extreme oppression for the past 76 years, exacerbated further when India revoked the region's special status on August 5, 2019.
The Indian military's actions have resulted in over 75,000 Kashmiris losing their lives, with more than 7,000 extra-judicial killings reported.
Read more: Indian Army continue atrocities against Kashmiris in Held Valley
The conflict has left over 100,000 children orphaned, and more than 11,000 women have fallen victim to sexual violence.
Additionally, over 160,000 Kashmiris have been arbitrarily detained, and more than 110,000 properties have been set ablaze.
Since 2019, the longest internet shutdown in history persists in occupied Kashmir. Despite five UN-accepted resolutions, no meaningful steps have been taken to address the situation.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both reported heinous atrocities, including ethnic cleansing and religious persecution.
Amnesty International's report in February 2023 highlighted India's flagrant violations of human rights, particularly targeting Muslim-majority areas in the occupied valley.
Al Jazeera reported the immense human cost incurred due to India's brutal tactics, portraying the Kashmir issue as a consequence of Indian aggression.
It is crucial to note that the observance of February 5th in Pakistan serves as a global reminder of India's oppressive actions.
Read more: Kashmir's ongoing human rights crisis draws global concern
The intention is to raise awareness internationally about the plight of the Kashmiri people and the need to address India's unjust behaviour.
In the words of a Kashmiri activist, "Our struggle for freedom continues, and on this day, we seek global solidarity to end the decades-long suffering of the Kashmiri people."
The world watches as Kashmiris persist in their quest for justice and self-determination.
