In a fresh act of state terrorism, Indian forces on Friday martyred two Kashmiri youths in Pulwama district of the occupied valley. According to the Kashmir Media Service, Shahid Baba and Inayat Ahmad were martyred by Indian troops during a cordon-and-search operation in the Baba Mohalla of Drabgam village. The troops also razed a residential building to rubble on the occasion. Protesting against operation in the village, the youth took to the streets. In retaliation, the Indian troops used force to quell the protests, resulting in intense clashes between the demonstrators and the forces who lobbed teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators. The occupying forces have suspended internet services in Pulwama and neighbouring Shopian district following the killings. Last year, a report released on the occasion of the World Human Rights Day revealed that Indian troops have martyred 95,238 innocent Kashmiris, including 7,120 in custody, since January 1989. The report revealed that the troops molested or disgraced 11,107 women and damaged 109,191 residential houses and other structures during the period. Indian troops and police subjected at least 8,000 people to custodial disappearance during the period.
Published in Daily Times, February 2nd 2019.
