Srinagar / Muzaffarabad – Kashmir Martyrs’ Day was solemnly observed on Saturday across both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), with widespread shutdowns, symbolic protests, and heightened political tension in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The day commemorates the 22 Kashmiri Muslims killed by the forces of the Dogra regime on July 13, 1931, a pivotal moment in the region’s long-standing resistance movement.

In Srinagar, the heart of the Kashmiri political movement, security forces imposed strict curbs, barring public access to the historic Martyrs’ Graveyard at Naqashband Sahib, where the slain are buried. Roads were barricaded, and police and paramilitary forces were deployed in large numbers to prevent public gatherings. Local political leaders, including those from the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were reportedly placed under house arrest, drawing widespread condemnation from rights activists and political commentators.

Despite the clampdown, many residents observed the day by staying indoors in silent protest, hoisting black flags, and sharing messages of remembrance on social media. The NC and PDP issued statements condemning the government’s decision to block commemorations, calling it an affront to Kashmir’s collective memory and historical identity.

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of the NC called the restrictions “undemocratic and deliberate,” while PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said the administration was trying to “erase the truth of Kashmir’s history with force.” Both parties emphasized that the sacrifices of the 1931 martyrs remain deeply etched in the region’s consciousness.

Across the border in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the day was observed with public gatherings, rallies, and prayer ceremonies. Events were held in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and Kotli, where participants waved Kashmiri flags and chanted slogans in support of the right to self-determination. Leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and local lawmakers spoke at memorial events, reiterating their call for international intervention and a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute.

In Pakistan, government officials, civil society groups, and citizens marked the occasion with solidarity events. Flags were flown at half-mast, special prayers were offered for the martyrs, and seminars were organized in major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. Government spokespersons issued strong condemnations of the restrictions in Indian-administered Kashmir and reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued political, diplomatic, and moral support for the Kashmiri people.

Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, once an official holiday in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, was removed from the government calendar after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Since then, attempts to publicly observe the day have faced repeated crackdowns by authorities.

Despite the restrictions, the day remains a powerful reminder of Kashmir’s historical struggle and the unresolved political tensions that continue to shape life in the region.