Srinagar, A significant cultural tragedy has struck the Islamabad district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where a fire has obliterated approximately 100,000 books at the Islamic Research Institute library. Known for its extensive collection of rare and valuable books, the library’s loss is being mourned by the local community as a profound blow to cultural preservation.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the fire has not only destroyed a vast array of books but also eliminated a critical resource for the study and appreciation of regional history and literature. Moulana Irshad Hydari Attari, a noted preacher and the principal of the Islamic Research Institute, commonly known as Idara Tahqeeqat-e-Islami, expressed deep sorrow over the incident in a media interview. He noted the unique nature of many of the works, some of which were exclusively held by the library. “There were hundreds of books that were available only in this library, and we have lost these books forever,” Attari lamented.

The incident has left a void in the community, with the loss of literary and historical resources that were considered irreplaceable. The destruction of the Islamic Research Institute library marks a significant setback for cultural and educational endeavors in the region.