Indian Occupied Kashmir came to a standstill on the eighth death anniversary of Burhan Wani, a prominent separatist leader whose death continues to resonate deeply within the region.
Burhan Wani, born on September 19, 1994, in the village of Dadasar, Pulwama, joined the freedom fighting group Hizbul Mujahideen at the young age of 16. His decision was driven by harassment by Indian security forces, which fueled his resolve to fight for Kashmiri independence.
Wani became a household name and a symbol of resistance among Kashmiri youth through his effective use of social media to spread his message. His growing influence led the Indian government to place a bounty of 1 million rupees on his head in August 2015.
On July 8, 2016, Indian forces killed Wani in an encounter in Kokernag. His funeral attracted an unprecedented crowd of over 200,000 people, a testament to his influence and the deep-seated unrest in the region. His death ignited widespread protests, resulting in a 53-day curfew and the deaths of more than 100 Kashmiri youths in the ensuing violence.
Years after his death, Burhan Wani remains a potent symbol of resistance for many young Kashmiris, embodying their struggle and aspirations for self-determination. His legacy continues to inspire and mobilize the separatist movement in Kashmir.
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