Karachi, In an outpouring of grief and solidarity, thousands of people gathered today in Poonch district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir to attend the funeral prayers of three civilians, Safeer Ahmed, Mohammed Showkat, and Shabbir Ahmed, who were reportedly killed in custody by Indian troops.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the civilians were arrested during a cordon and search operation in the Surankot area of Poonch and were later killed in custody in the Bafliaz area of the district. The bodies were handed over to their families, prompting a large gathering of mourners in the Topa Peer area, where they participated in the funeral prayers.

The mourners raised pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans, calling for justice and demanding exemplary punishment for the troops involved in the killings. Fatima Kouser, the wife of Mohammad Showkat, shared her anguish over the loss of her husband, describing the severe torture he endured during custody. The couple had been married for only ten months.

In the wake of the incident, National Conference leader Mian Altaf issued a statement revealing that the occupation authorities prevented him from visiting Poonch to express solidarity with the families of the martyred civilians.

The incident has escalated tensions in the region, with the local community demanding accountability and justice for the actions of the Indian troops. The deaths have sparked further calls for addressing the ongoing conflict and human rights issues in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.