KOTLI (Kashmir English): A candlelight vigil was held at Shaheed Chowk in Kotli to pay tribute to the innocent victims of Indian aggression, including young children Musa, Misbah Kausar, Ihtesham Arshad, Zimal Fatima and other martyrs.
The memorial saw participation from children, women, traders, journalists and local citizens who lit candles and offered prayers for the martyrs’ elevated status in the afterlife.
The ceremony was attended by Higher Education Minister Zafar Iqbal Malik, Deputy Commissioner Major (Retd) Nasir Rafiq, ADC Faiz Alam, DEO Syed Jamshed Bukhari, DEO Saeeda Andaleeb, DFC Manawar Ahmed Chauhan and other officials who also lit candles in remembrance.
Addressing the media, Minister Zafar Iqbal Malik stated, “We dedicate this evening to the martyred children and all other shaheeds. Pakistan’s valiant armed forces have already avenged their deaths many times over.”
He paid rich tributes to the martyrs while congratulating the armed forces for their exemplary victory, noting how Pakistan’s air force and army had “crushed India’s arrogance into dust”, a feat worthy of the nation’s pride.
The minister strongly condemned India as “a duplicitous and treacherous nation that falsely accuses others of terrorism while itself being a terrorist state.” He cited India’s recent targeting of innocent children, women and civilians over four days as clear evidence of this state-sponsored terrorism.
Malik made an impassioned appeal to the international community, urging civilized nations to “take notice of India’s blatant aggression and facilitate a resolution of the Kashmir dispute per UN resolutions to establish lasting peace in the region.” The solemn ceremony concluded with collective prayers for the martyrs’ elevated spiritual status.
Previously, as of May 11, 2025, significant casualties and damage across multiple districts of Azad Kashmir had been recorded of the Indian aggression after Indian forces violated the ceasefire, again during the darkness of night.
The severe incident of ceasefire breach by the Indian forces in areas near the LoC had resulted in substantial human and material losses across several districts, according to the situation report. Tragically, 31 innocent people lost their lives, with Kotli having 11, Poonch having 6, and Bhimber also having 6 casualties, being the hardest-hit areas on the list.
Additionally, 123 individuals had been injured, with Kotli having 31, Poonch having 27, and Bhimber having 22 injury reports, making it the highest number. The disaster caused extensive damage to infrastructure, with 287 houses affected. Of these 287 houses, 34 were fully destroyed, and 253 were partially damaged.
