The death of Burhan Wani, a renowned Kashmiri activist, in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, has sent shockwaves throughout the area and catapulted the decades-long conflict in the region to the forefront of world attention.
The death of Wani, a genuine hero, on July 8, 2016, triggered widespread protests in IIOJK and subsequently a new wave of violence by Indian occupation forces.
The Kashmir Media Service reported that Wani was instrumental in the IIOJK’s fight against India.
On July 7, 1994, Burhan Wani entered the world in south Kashmir. After seeing the repeated attacks of the Indian army on innocent Kashmiris, he became a civic activist at an early age despite coming from a relatively well-off family.
He began speaking out against the Indian government when he was 15 years old. His charismatic presence and impassioned comments quickly established him as a fearless Kashmiri activist.
He used the internet to rally support for his movement and promote his message of resistance to the Indian occupation.
Kashmiri youth Burhan Wani’s sixth anniversary of his death is being commemorated in Pakistan.
He rose to prominence in the freedom movement due to his popularity among IIOJK youth, who saw in him a symbol of defiance against Indian rule. He got the word out through various social media outlets, enlisting new supporters.
Burhan Wani was located in the Kokernag area of the Islamabad district in south Kashmir on July 8, 2016, and killed in a coordinated operation by the Indian occupation forces, which included the army, police, and paramilitary.
The authorities instituted harsh curfews, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from showing up to his funeral as word of his death spread. Mourners converted the funeral procession into a large demonstration, chanting anti-government slogans and calling for their release from the Indian government.
After Burhan was killed, rioting in the region erupted dramatically, with numerous civilians being killed or injured at the hands of Indian security forces. The protests lasted for a long time (months), leading to a curfew in the valley and the subsequent shutdown of the internet and other restrictions.
Moreover, Indian soldiers’ aggression persisted for months, making the general populace feel insecure and afraid.
Concern was raised over the state of human rights in the area after Burhan Wani’s killing, which was considered as a major setback for the IIOJK liberation movement.
Burhan Wani was a martyr for the resistance against Indian rule. His death was caused by Indian pressure and violence against unarmed people in IIOJK. The Pakistani government has spoken out against Wani’s death and voiced support for the people of IIOJK.
The wider issue of human rights violations in IIOJK was brought into sharp focus by his death at the hands of the Indian army.
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Following Burhan’s death, Pakistan raised concerns about human rights violations in IIOJK repeatedly with high-ranking United Nations officials, sending letters to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the United Nations Security Council.
The Pakistani government has frequently brought up the Kashmir dispute in international forums, demanding intervention to preserve the rights of the IIOJK people.
In IIOJK, Pakistan demanded a stop to military action against civilians, the removal of Indian occupation forces, and a plebiscite in line with relevant United Nations resolutions.
A fresh wave of struggle and extensive youth participation in bringing attention to the Kashmir problem notably through social media emerged after Wani’s martyrdom. His passing has far-reaching effects on the IIOJK quest for self-determination.
The death of Burhan Wani was a turning point that encouraged people to continue fighting against the harsh Indian government. His death inspired the IIOJK community to keep fighting for their liberties and fair treatment because of his sacrifice.
Wani was an inspiration to many because of the example of bravery and perseverance he set as an IIOJK activist.
