Observer Report
Srinagar
At least six Kashmiri youths were martyred in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday as the Indian occupying forces tightened restrictions, fearing protests after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s impassioned speech at UN General Assembly last night.
Three youths were martyred in Ganderbal, about 12 miles north of Srinagar, and another three in Batote, located on the highway connecting Jammu and Srinagar during cordon and search operations.
Authorities in Indian Occupied Kashmir tightened restrictions on people’s movements on Saturday to prevent possible protests triggered after a speech by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
PM Imran, in an address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, warned there would be a bloodbath once India lifts its restrictions in IOK which have been in force since it revoked the region’s decades-old autonomy in August and detained thousands of people.
Soon after the speech, hundreds of Kashmiris came out of their homes, shouting slogans in support of the premier late on Friday night and calling for the independence of Kashmir.
On Saturday, police vans fitted with speakers made public announcements in some parts of Srinagar about movement restrictions, while additional troops were deployed to prevent any protests, according to officials and two witnesses.
The troops also blocked access to the main business centre of Srinagar with razor wire.
“This was necessitated after protests across Srinagar city last night. Muslim-majority IOK has long been a flashpoint between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India, which have fought two of their three wars over the divided territory. Both countries rule parts of occupied Kashmir while claiming it in full.
India’s crackdown as it revoked IOK’s special status was accompanied by severe restrictions on movement, as well as disconnection of telephone services. Though New Delhi has eased some of the movement curbs, no prominent detainees have been freed and mobile and internet connections remain suspended.
