Islamabad: Leaders from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK), led by Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi, paid tributes to the victims of the Kupwara massacre on its anniversary.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, on January 27, 1994, a day following India’s Republic Day, Indian troops killed 27 civilians in Kupwara town. The mass killings were reportedly a response to a shutdown observed by the locals on January 26.

In a joint statement from Islamabad, Safi and other Hurriyat leaders emphasized that the sacrifices of the Kupwara and other Kashmiri martyrs will not be forgotten or wasted. They described the Kupwara massacre as a significant example of Indian state actions in the region.

The leaders asserted their commitment to continue the freedom struggle and preserve the legacy of the Kashmiri martyrs. They expressed their determination to ensure that these sacrifices are honored and not undermined.

They further criticized the lack of accountability for Indian soldiers involved in incidents like the Kupwara and Handwara massacres. The leaders urged the international community to hold India accountable for its actions in Kashmir and to support resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of its people.