Senior leader of All Parties Hurriyat Conference and Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, was a brave and committed leader of Kashmir’s freedom struggle who preferred martyrdom but never compromised or bowed before Indian illegal occupation and its oppressive policies.

A report released by Kashmir Media Service on the 18th martyrdom anniversary of Sheikh Abdul Aziz today said that he devoted his whole life to the struggle for the right to self-determination of Jammu and Kashmir as per UN resolutions and for freedom from Indian illegal occupation.

The report said the martyred leader, who spent most of his life in jail, fought selflessly for Kashmir’s freedom till his last breath and continues to inspire the Kashmiri people. It added that Sheikh Aziz was a passionate advocate of Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan.

“Sheikh Aziz and other martyrs are symbols of resistance against the brutal Indian illegal occupation. Kashmiris will never forget the sacrifices of their martyrs like Sheikh Aziz. The Kashmiri people value the sacrifices of their martyrs above all else,” it said.

The report further said that Kashmiris know the best way to pay tribute to Sheikh Aziz is to continue his mission until freedom from Indian occupation, and they will not rest until this goal is achieved.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz was martyred by Indian forces on this day in 2008 in the Uri area of Baramulla district while leading a massive march to Azad Jammu and Kashmir against the economic blockade of the Kashmir Valley by Hindutva BJP-RSS Dogra extremists in Jammu district. The blockade by Hindutva organizations Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party was aimed at starving the Kashmiri population and crushing Kashmir’s stand on the Kashmir cause.

The situation at that time had created unusual hardship for the residents of the Kashmir Valley, forcing Sheikh Abdul Aziz and other Hurriyat leaders to demand the opening of the Srinagar-Rawalpindi road for trade and travel to save the Kashmiri people from hunger and death.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)