Zahoor Rather

On August 11, 2008, Kashmir’s renowned resistance leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz was killed as thousands of Kashmiris marched towards the ceasefire line in Uri to protest against the economic blockade enforced by India during the Amarnath land transfer row. The unrest of 2008 stemmed from an order by the puppet government in the region, headed by Nab Azad, issued in June that year, to donate Kashmiri land to India for a Hindu pilgrimage trust. Kashmiris rose in protest against the move and took to the streets, fighting India’s nefarious designs as they always have. More than 50 people were killed and thousands injured by occupying Indian military and police that year. Kashmir also saw some historic protest rallies with people across the valley participating in massive numbers. These mass uprisings were not against some sole issue of the puppet administration’s blunder but against the overall illegal military occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. These issues have always triggered Kashmiris to rise up en masse against the occupation of their motherland.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz was killed along with four other protesters at Chala, some 25 kilometers away from the ceasefire line, when they were marching towards the de facto border after a Muzafarabad Chalo call was given by the Hurriyet Conference and some other pro-resistance parties against the economic blockade of the Kashmir valley. It is pertinent to mention that India has systematically been destroying the economic structure of the region to render the inhabitants of this occupied territory disenfranchised, devastated, and helpless to consolidate power and ensure the continuation of military occupation without any challenges.

Shaheed Sheikh Aziz was a man of great honesty and integrity who worked on multiple fronts to liberate the occupied Kashmir from the illegal military occupation of India. He was known for his rationality, resilience, and compassion. He had devoted his life to the Kashmiri movement and desperately wanted to see his motherland free from the curse of occupation. His supreme sacrifice will forever be remembered and continue to inspire future generations.

One aspect of this story is such that we should never forget and seek lessons from. Not many know that the person who directly fired at the procession leading to the martyrdom of Sheikh Aziz and four other people was none other than Khursheed Khan, a then Inspector of the mercenary JKP, who later rose to the rank of DSP KP. Khan was a notorious cop who used to raid stone pelters and other freedom activists and demand whopping amounts in return for their release. Those who failed to comply were framed under fabricated cases leading to their illegal arrest for years. This mercenary, a few years back, contracted a deadly disease that eventually took his life in May this year. He was 63. Some of his close associates revealed that chunks of flesh from his body used to stink and fall off. There are other stories that we do not want to highlight here. You must have by now got an idea of the extent to which this collaborator went in suppressing the voices of his own people. He might have got what he wanted, but nature too has a law. As they say, what goes around comes around. He had to go through terrible difficulties for the sins he had committed during his tenure. The sighs of the oppressed (mazloom) never go unheard and reach directly to the skies without any interruption. These collaborators must go through terrible adversities in this world too. We should never forget the likes of Khursheed Khan, remember what they did to us, and avenge every action whenever the time is ripe.

There is another aspect to this story. The day Khursheed Khan died, Sajad Lone took to X, formerly Twitter, and tweeted a condolence message, besides writing about some other aspects of their bonhomie. It was clear enough that Sajad was in contact with Khan even during the 2008 mass uprising when he was part of the Coordination Committee which was among those leading the protests by giving strike and chalo calls across Kashmir. Although this is not surprising, we must remember how this thug has deceived us and not fall prey to his treacherous behavior in the future. Black sheep must be disowned and discouraged.

On August 11 every year, we remember Shaheed Sheikh Aziz for his services to the nation and his supreme sacrifice. In remembering him, we must also remember that every collaborator will have to meet his fate. Collaborators are disgraceful evils whose roots need to be cut. On the other hand, every nation always remembers its heroes and holds dear to heart their memories and all they did for their nations. Our martyrs and all those who continue their mission are our heroes and will always be remembered.