Kupwara Massacre - 26th January 1994

It was on 27 January 1994 that 27 civilians, mostly traders of Kupwara town, fell to indiscriminate firing by Army men. After a lapse of around 20 years, justice continues to elude the families of victims. The survivors allege that the massacre was carried out by the soldiers to punish the people for observing shutdown on January 26. Memories of the massacre are still fresh in the minds of people and they are waiting for the day when the perpetrators would be punished.

“A patrol party of Punjab regiment of Army had warned the shopkeepers on the eve of January 26 of dire consequences if they observe strike and didn’t celebrate the R-day, next day,” said a local shopkeeper who survived the massacre.

When blood poured the streets

Gawkadal massacre is perhaps the first massacre in the history in which signals of massacre were given well before conducting the massacre. On the frightful day of January 20, 1990 Jagmohan’s first address as governor dumbfounded everyone. It was clear cut provocative address.

In his address he stated:” I have come as a nurse. I will not take any salary. I will just take rupees 1000 to meet my personal expenses. I have promise you a clean administration. But if anybody creates a law and order problem, Meray Haathon say Aman ka patta Khisak jaye ga (the cards of peace I’m carrying will slip away from my hands)."

Blood Stained Legacy of Ariel Sharon

The whitewashing of the late Ariel Sharon's blood-stained legacy was both predictable - and predicted. But that doesn't make it any less forgivable or tolerable. For example, Listen to Carl Bildt, the Swedish foreign minister: "Ariel Sharon was a great leader of Israel. A brilliant military commander, but also a wise statesman seeing the necessity of peace."

Or US senator and former Republican presidential candidate John McCain: "Few statesmen have made sacrifices that were as difficult, and were prepared to make more painful sacrifices still, for the sake of peace and the security for their nation."

Forced into the Darkness

Hayat Ashraf Dar, a student of economics was blinded by Indian security forces by pellet shots

A quite Sunday afternoon in July 2013 turned fatal for twenty-one-year old Hayat Ashraf Dar, a BA economics student at Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi, who was visiting his grandparents in Kashmir during summer break. That day, Hayat was on his way home after attending a function in uptown Srinagar, when the bus he was travelling in came to an abrupt halt near his house. He was told that there are protests going on in Nowhatta area and it is not safe to go there. Hayat de-boarded the bus and decided to walk the remaining distance.

Why did Osama declare war on USA - Pt 2

This historical introduction is important (in order) to know the beliefs of Osama and his thoughts and ideology. I do not know – O American – if you are following the news of Osama; but I will remind you of his historical promise after the event of 9/11 when he said: “I swear by Almighty Allah who raised the heavens without any pillars, that America will not dream of living in security before we experience security in Palestine and not before all the infidel armies have left the land of Muhammad, peace be upon him”. And the one who knows Osama’s history, he will realize that Osama lived to abide (by) his promise.