Islamabad: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has alleged that the Indian government has given security forces deployed in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) a free hand to carry out extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests during cordon and search operations.
In a statement issued in Srinagar, APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas condemned the killing of two Kashmiri youth by Indian troops during an operation in Udhampur district.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Minhas alleged that Indian forces had killed more than 1,000 Kashmiris in IIOJK since August 5, 2019, with most of those killed being young people. He also said thousands of Kashmiris had been arrested during the same period under laws including the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The APHC spokesman alleged that Kashmiri youth were being killed in staged encounters, claiming that forces were seeking promotions, medals and rewards through such operations.
He also referred to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), under which, he said, Indian forces operating in the occupied territory have extensive legal protection. The law also places significant restrictions on initiating legal proceedings against personnel operating under its provisions, he said.
Minhas alleged that the ongoing killings and arrests were intended to intimidate Kashmiris seeking freedom from Indian rule. He said the Kashmiri people remained committed to their demand for freedom and would continue what he described as the mission of those killed in the conflict.
The APHC spokesman called on the international community to take steps to stop what he described as the killing of innocent Kashmiris by Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also urged the international community to support a resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
