RAWALPINDI: Kashmiris have the right to self-determination, tweeted Inter Services Public Relations Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor quoting Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on the day of the first anniversary of Burhan Wani, a Kashmiri youth who was martyred by Indian forces last year.
Sacrifices of Wani and generations against Indian atrocities are a testimony of their resolve, the tweet read.
In different parts of Kashmir valley, rallies were organised while prayers were also held to mark the first death anniversary of Wani.
Leaders who have been either confined to their houses or jailed have called for protests starting Saturday to mark Wani’s martyrdom.
Moreover, all roads leading to Wani’s hometown in Tral area of south Kashmir were blocked ahead of the anniversary. Besides, authorities seized thousands of motorbikes to prevent people from travelling between villages in the area.
Clashes broke out on Saturday when protesters tried to reach the family home.
Earlier, Indian authorities had shut down the internet in occupied Kashmir.
Wani, a commander of Hizbul Mujahideen was martyred in Indian occupied Kashmir on July 8, 2016.
Burhan Wani’s martyrdom had triggered massive protests and prolonged period of curfews and shutdowns across the held valley. More than 100 innocent Kashmiris were killed and thousands of others injured in Indian occupied Kashmir.
