Srinagar: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has declared Burhan Wani, killed by Indian forces in 2016, as an enduring symbol of Kashmiri resistance against Indian rule in the region. The announcement comes as the APHC prepares to mark the eighth anniversary of Wani’s death, which they describe as a “martyrdom” that continues to inspire Kashmiri youth.

According to Kashmir Media Service, APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas issued a statement emphasizing Wani’s significant impact on the Kashmiri freedom struggle. He recounted that Wani and his associates were killed by Indian troops in what the APHC claims was a staged encounter in the Kokernag area of Islamabad district. Minhas spoke of Wani’s legacy as a catalyst for the ongoing freedom movement and condemned the alleged oppressive actions of Indian authorities, including the targeting of young activists.

The statement also called for widespread commemoration on July 8, encouraging both local and international demonstrations to honor Wani’s memory and bring global attention to the situation in Kashmir. Various Hurriyat leaders echoed Minhas’s sentiments, advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict in accordance with United Nations resolutions and highlighting the need for international intervention to ensure the rights of the Kashmiri people.