ISLAMABAD: Indian security forces have placed the Kulgam district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) under a cordon-and-search operation, now in its fifth consecutive day, as part of a wider crackdown to prevent public observance of Youm-e-Istehsal — the day marking India’s revocation of the occupied region’s special constitutional status.
The operation has heightened hardships for residents, with reports of multiple civilian deaths and large-scale deployment of Indian troops, drones, and helicopters, according to Kashmir Media Service (KMS).
The Indian government has intensified its crackdown across the occupied Kashmir since the beginning of August in a bid to prevent Kashmiris from observing Youm-e-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation).
KMS also reported the martyrdom of one Kashmiri youth at the hands of Indian troops during an ongoing operation. However, independent media reports indicate that at least five youth have been martyred since the operation began on Friday in the Akhal area of Kulgam district.
Indian police officials confirmed the deployment of drones, Rudra helicopters, and elite Special Forces to quell resistance in the area. Clashes have reportedly broken out between Indian troops and local youth, resulting in injuries to four Indian soldiers, according to the latest updates.
Additional forces have been rushed to the area to reinforce the siege, which has now been extended to adjoining localities.
On August 5, 2019, India unilaterally and illegally stripped occupied Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, an action which has since then been rejected by the international community, Kashmiris, and Pakistanis alike.
Indian media reports claim that the Indian president’s back-to-back meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah fuelled speculations that the government in New Delhi may start the process of restoring the illegally occupied region’s statehood.
The development came as the Indian Supreme Court will hear an application seeking directions to the central government to restore the statehood of the Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Friday (August 8).
Each year, Pakistan observes August 5 as Youm-e-Istehsal to express support for the Kashmiri people’s right to freedom and protest India’s “illegal and unilateral action” of August 5, 2019.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on Tuesday expressed serious concern over reports that India may restore statehood to Jammu while keeping the Kashmir Valley as a Union Territory.
