Kashmiris on both sides of Line of Control and the world over observed the Jammu Martyrs’ Day, today [Saturday], to reaffirm the resolve to continue the martyrs’ mission till realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.

Hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris were massacred by the forces of Maharaja Hari Singh, Indian army and Hindu extremists in different parts of Jammu region while they were migrating to Pakistan during the first week of November in 1947.

In a statement from New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, Chairman the illegally detained All Parties Hurriyat Conference Masarrat Aalam Butt has said Jammu massacre was the first act of systematic ethnic cleansing and the worst example of state terrorism after the illegal military occupation of Jammu and Kashmir carried out by India on 27 October 1947.

He urged the UN Secretary General to take serious action against India for victimizing the people of Jammu and Kashmir for demanding their inalienable right to self-determination.

The Hurriyat forum led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a statement in Srinagar said the ethnic cleansing of the Muslims of Jammu is an extremely painful chapter in the history of Kashmir freedom struggle.

Other Hurriyat leaders and organizations including Molvi Bashir Ahmad, Khawaja Firdous, Abdul Samad Inqilabi, Kashmir Freedom Front, Tehreek-e-Wahdat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir Insaf Party, and Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League in their statements said that Jammu massacre was aimed at changing the demographic composition of the occupied territory.

Posters appeared in different areas of Jammu region eulogizing the sacrifices of the victims of Jammu carnage. The posters were pasted by the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Alliance.

Meanwhile, Indian troops launched a massive cordon and search operation in Rajouri district in Jammu region.

The troops cordoned off Khablan and other nearby villages of the district and launched searches.