Islamabad, November 24, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Chairman of Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), Altaf Hussain Wani, has demanded an independent probe into the incidents of extra-judicial killings of Kashmiri youth in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Altaf Hussain Wani in a statement issued in Islamabad, expressed grave concern over the surge in custodial killings in the territory and said the Indian forces, deployed in length and breadth, have turned the Kashmir valley virtually into a slaughterhouse.

Citing the killing of Kulgam youth Shahid Ahmad Tantray during a stage-managed encounter, he said his killing speaks volumes about the danger and insecurity of the lives of arrested young men in custody. “This is the second such killing in just over a month. In October, another Kashmiri youth, Imran Bashir Ganai, a resident of Shopian, was arrested and later killed in a similar fashion”, he said. He added that the Hurriyat leadership as well as the rights defenders fervently raised their voice against this cruelty and asked for a probe by independent agencies.

Altaf Hussain Wani said that it was quite alarming that the Indian forces had started a fresh killing campaign under the guise of so-called “hybrid militancy”. He added that the Indian forces deployed in Kashmir had the worst track record and they had never shied away from killing innocent civilians to fulfill their desire for material gains, seeking incentives and promotions. Meanwhile, the KIIR Chairman expressed grave concern over the continued illegal detention of prominent Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez and demanded his immediate release.

Highlighting the woeful plight of Khurram Parvez and his family, Wani said that he was being punished for raising his voice for the voiceless people and India’s brutal suppression against Kashmiris. Hailing the UN expert’s demand for the urgent release of Khurram Parvez, the KIIR Chief said that the JKCCS Coordinator and chairperson Asian Forum for Involuntary and Enforced Disappearances was being victimized for his tireless work documenting and reporting serious human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and unlawful killings in the Indian held territory.

Wani said that it was quite alarming that his detention had been extended five times by the Special Court of Indian infamous National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi under Section 43D(2)(b) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). “So far NIA authorities have miserably failed to produce a single piece of evidence against him in the court of law”, he added.

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