Srinagar, The town of Sopore in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir still vividly remembers the massacre carried out by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on this day in 1993, an event that has deeply scarred the community.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the massacre occurred when BSF personnel retaliated violently following the injury of one of their members in a firing incident. This act of retribution led to the death of at least 60 people and the destruction of over 400 shops and residential houses, as the troops set fire to the town.
The incident remains a poignant memory for the inhabitants of Sopore, with some describing it as if it happened only yesterday. The massacre has left an indelible mark on the town’s history. Eyewitnesses recall horrific scenes of uniformed men firing indiscriminately at civilians and setting fire to buildings, including notable landmarks like the SAMAD TALKIES cinema and the Islamia College Sopore (Women’s).
Ghulam Rasool Ganai, a local shopkeeper and eyewitness, recounted the brutality of the forces, who not only shot civilians but also burned down markets, particularly from the main Chowk to the Tehsil Office. He detailed how some civilians were burned alive, including 20 passengers who were shot on a bus and then set ablaze.
The rampage extended to several localities, where more than 400 commercial establishments and 75 residential houses were reduced to ashes. The Shalla family of Shalpora experienced the greatest loss, with four of its members killed while seeking refuge during the massacre.
Muhammad Shafi Shalla, a member of the bereaved family, shared his painful memory of losing four family members who were sheltering in a shop when they were found and killed by the BSF.
Tariq Ahmed Kanjawal, another survivor and eyewitness, described the haunting memory of a shopkeeper emerging from his burning shop, a moment that has stayed with him for years. He also recounted hearing a BSF officer instruct his colleagues not to shoot a burning man, anticipating his imminent death.