Remembering the martyrs : Upholding the spirit of Kashmir's struggle.

On 21 May, Kashmiris mourn the loss of two prominent figures who dedicated their lives to the cause of Kashmir's freedom. Mirwaiz Moulvi Mu-hammad Farooq, father of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, was tragically shot dead at his residence in Srinagar in 1990, while Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone, a leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), was assassinated in 2002. These martyrs' sacrifices con-tinue to inspire and unite Kashmiris in their unwav-ering pursuit of liberation from Indian occupation.

Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq's assassination in 1990 marked a turning point in the Kashmiri struggle. Indian agents struck at the heart of the resistance, aiming to silence the voice of dissent. However, the sacrifice of the martyrs only ignited the flame of freedom. Tragically, during the funeral procession of Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq, 70 mourners lost their lives as Indian troops opened fire in the Hawal area, leaving an indelible mark of tragedy on the memory of Kashmiris.

Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone, another prominent leader of the APHC, met a similar fate in 2002. On the anniversary of Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq's martyrdom, Indian agents targeted Lone as he re-turned from addressing a public gathering in Srina-gar's Eidgah area. These assassinations reflect the lengths to which the oppressors would go to sup-press the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The sacrifices of Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone will forever be etched in the collective memory of Kashmiris. Their struggle against occupation, their commitment to justice and freedom, and their unwavering...