Pakistan condemns barbaric act of snatching of mortal remains of Syed Ali Gillani

India did not allow Syed Gillani's burial at the place of his choosing.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan has strongly condemned the barbaric act of snatching of the mortal remains of the iconic Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Gillani from his family by the Indian occupation forces early this morning.

According to Foreign Office, as the family was preparing for the last rites of Syed Gillani, a heavy contingent of the occupation forces raided his residence in Srinagar, harassed the family members and snatched Syed Gillani s body.

When the family members told the raiding party that Syed Gillani s will was to be buried in the "Cemetery of Martyrs" in Srinagar, they were reportedly told that India would not allow Syed Gillani s burial at the place of his choosing.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said the government of India is so afraid of Syed Gillani and what he stood for that they have now resorted to this inhuman act even after his passing away.

This shows the degree of callousness on part of the occupation forces and demonstrates beyond doubt that India would trample all civil and human values in perpetuating its occupation of IIOJ&K.

Indian media subsequently reported that Syed Gillani has been buried. A curfew has been imposed in the valley and all internet services snapped.

The Spokesperson urged the international community to take serious note of this unprecedented and egregious situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and hold India to account for its breaches of the international human rights and humanitarian laws.

Earlier this morning, Syed Ali Gillani was laid to rest amid tight military siege at Haiderpora in Srinagar. The occupation authorities had put strict restrictions on the movement of the people and the whole area was cordoned off.

A small number of people mainly some close relatives were allowed to participate in the funeral prayers and to have a last glimpse of the martyred leader. Indian army had laid restrictions all across the occupied valley to prevent mammoth gathering on the funeral of Syed Ali Gilani.

Soon after the news of Syed Ali Gilani’s demise spread out, announcements were made from mosques around Srinagar calling out people to come out of their homes to pay homage to Syed Ali Gillani. However, Indian authorities used coercive measures to dissuade people from coming out of their homes. Several Hurriyat leaders and activists including Mukhtar Ahmad Waza have been rounded up by the Indian authorities as well.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has also fervently appealed to the people of Kashmir to come out of their homes and hold large protest against the cruelty of Modi regime. The APHC has asked people to hold Gaibana Namaz-e-Janza (funerals in absentia) in every nook and corner of the occupied territory.

The appeal has also been made to the Kashmiri and Pakistani diaspora and peace loving people all across the globe to hold protests and Gaibana Namaz-e-Janaza all across the globe.

It is to be mentioned here that the leader was under house arrest for the last many years.

Syed Ali Gilani born on 29 September 1929, a veteran of Kashmiri politics was the Chairman of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir and the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC).

He was a staunch opponent of Indian illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and led Kashmiris struggle for right to self-determination.

He was previously a member of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir but later on founded his own party by the name of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat. He served as the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a forum of freedom parties in Jammu and Kashmir. He was a member of Kashmir Assembly from the Sopore constituency of Jammu and Kashmir three times (1972, 1977 and 1987).

Syed Ali Gilani all along his life strived for the cause of freedom of Kashmir from Indian illegal occupation. He remained at the forefront of the Kashmiris struggle for right to self-determination.

He remained associated with the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir for most part of his life but later founded his own party by the name of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.

He led the APHC until late quitting the pro-freedom amalgam due to his worsening health condition.