Muzaffarabad: A grand conference and rally were held in Muzaffarabad to honor the anniversaries of Shaheed Muhammad Afzal Guru and Shaheed Maqbool Butt, both of whom were executed in India’s Tihar Jail. The event, organized by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) and the Liberation Cell, saw participation from political, social, and religious groups, as well as student organizations.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, Afzal Guru was hanged on February 9, 2013, and Maqbool Butt on February 11, 1984, with their bodies remaining interred within the jail’s premises. The conference aimed to commemorate their sacrifices and reaffirm the commitment to the ongoing struggle for Kashmiri independence.

Former prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Raja Farooq Haider Khan, served as the chief guest, while Deputy Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Sheikh Aqeel-ur-Rehman chaired the event. A resolution was unanimously passed, denouncing the executions as extrajudicial killings and criticizing the Indian judiciary’s motivations.

Speakers at the conference highlighted the circumstances of Afzal Guru’s execution, noting the absence of family visits or the return of his remains. They criticized the Indian Supreme Court’s decision as pandering to public sentiment rather than delivering justice, a stance that faced international scrutiny.

A rally organized by Pasban-e-Hurriyat also took place, featuring speeches from various political leaders. The speakers emphasized the resilience of the Kashmiri freedom movement despite India’s attempts to suppress it through judicial and physical means.

The event witnessed a diverse turnout, including APHC-AJK General Secretary Advocate Pervez Ahmed, Information Secretary Mushtaq Ahmed Butt, and leaders from various organizations, all united in their call for Kashmiri self-determination.