The tragic event in Sopore, claimed the lives
of over 60 innocent Kashmiris, leaving
an indelible mark on the region’s history
Foreign Reporter
Brussels: Chairman of Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU), Ali Raza Syed, has emphasized that the atrocities of the Sopore massacre on January 6, 1993, can never be forgotten. The tragic event in Sopore, part of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), claimed the lives of over 60 innocent Kashmiris, leaving an indelible mark on the region’s history.
Remembering the Martyrs of Sopore
In a core committee meeting in Brussels, held to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the massacre, Ali Raza Syed stated, “The wounds of this tragic event are still fresh in the hearts of Kashmiris.” On that fateful day, Indian security forces set fire to over 500 buildings in Sopore Bazaar and indiscriminately opened fire on civilians, killing more than 60 people. Among the victims were over 25 bus passengers who were brutally attacked when Indian forces set their vehicle ablaze.
The Chairman condemned the heinous act, recalling the heart-wrenching brutality where a 6-month-old child was snatched and thrown into the fire, while the child’s mother was killed by gunfire.
A Call for Justice and Accountability
Ali Raza Syed described the Sopore massacre as a glaring example of state oppression against Kashmiris. “This bloodshed is a grave violation of human rights and a stark abuse of state power,” he said. He urged the international community, including the United Nations and the European Union, to take immediate action by investigating such incidents transparently and holding the perpetrators accountable.
Demanding Global Action
The KCEU Chairman reiterated that the massacre remains a matter of grave concern for the international community. He appealed for effective measures to protect the basic human rights of Kashmiris and emphasized the need for the international community to support Kashmiris in their struggle for self-determination, as outlined in UN resolutions.
Ali Raza Syed called on global powers to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue, ensuring justice for the victims of state-sponsored violence in the region.
