In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, occupation troops have escalated their crackdown under the pretext of security measures ahead of India's Independence Day on August 15.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the arrests and summoning are being carried out beside cordon and search operations, across various districts, including Srinagar.

Indian troops, paramilitary and police personnel have been deployed in large numbers, conducting random frisking of passengers and pedestrians, further exacerbating the hardships faced by the Kashmiris.

Meanwhile, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and other pro-freedom organizations are marking the 16th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azeemat Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who was martyred on August 11, 2008, while leading a march to Azad Kashmir.

The APHC has announced special prayer meetings on Sunday to honor his legacy.

On the other hand, detained JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik today informed the Delhi High Court that he will represent himself in the appeal filed by the notorious National Investigation Agency seeking the death penalty for him in a fake case.