ISLAMABAD: The people of Jammu and Kashmir, living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and across the world, obs­erved the Jammu Martyrs’ Anni­versary on Thursday to comme­morate the supreme sacrifices of over 250,000 Muslim residents of Jammu city and its outskirts who lost their lives in 1947 while mig­rating to the newly-born Muslim homeland, Pakistan.

The day is observed every year by Kashmiris to remember the martyrdom of more than 250,000 men, women, children, and elderly Muslims of Jammu who were mercilessly slaughtered by armed Hindu gangs, Indian occupying forces, and Dogra military troops — with the connivance of Dogra Hindu fanatics — under a nefarious, pre-planned conspiracy while they were proceeding to migrate to Pakistan near the Jammu-Sialkot working boundary.

This year too, the day was observed, renewing their pledge to continue the ongoing struggle for the freedom of occupied Jammu and Kashmir from Ind­ian control until the achievement of their globally recogn­ised right to self-determination.

Kashmiris vowed to continue their freedom struggle with renewed resolve until victory.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), special ceremonies, including seminars and symposiums, were held in various parts of the region, including the capital Muzaffarabad, to pay tribute to the Jammu martyrs who were gunned down by armed Hindu fanatics and Dogra military personnel 78 years ago, in 1947.

President, PM’s messages

In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of occupied Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination.

PM Shehbaz, in his message, said that India was committing a “prolonged violation of fundamental human rights, the right to self-determination, and international law”.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2025