Srinagar: Justice continues to evade the families of those who lost their lives in the Sopore massacre 32 years ago, when Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel killed numerous civilians in Sopore town on January 6, 1993, in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Kashmir Media Service, more than 50 civilians were killed, and the main business area of the town was set on fire and looted by the Indian BSF troops after an alleged snatching of a rifle from a BSF soldier by an unknown individual. Witnesses recounted that BSF personnel from the 94th Battalion killed 57 civilians. A bus driver was dragged from his vehicle, and 20 passengers were shot dead. The troops reportedly used gunpowder, petrol, and kerosene to ignite surrounding buildings.

Among the 57 civilians killed, 48 died from gunfire, and nine were burned alive. Over 400 commercial establishments and 75 residential houses were destroyed in the areas of Sopore, including Arampora, Muslimpeer, Kralteng, Shallapora, Shahabad, and Bobimir Sahab. Significant structures such as the Women’s Degree College were among the buildings set ablaze.

Eyewitnesses described the indiscriminate targeting of civilians by BSF personnel. Manzoor Ahmed, a witness, detailed how a bus (JKY-1901) driver was forcibly removed and the passengers were shot. Following the attack, the troops set approximately 400 shops and buildings, including residential houses, on fire. Key establishments like the Women’s Degree College and Samad Talkies were also destroyed.

The Shalla family from Shalpora experienced significant loss, with four members killed. The Sopore massacre has been noted by Time Magazine as one of the most severe atrocities in Kashmir’s history.

Meanwhile, leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and rights activists have paid tribute to the victims, highlighting the ongoing deterioration of the situation in the region and calling for international intervention in the Kashmir dispute.