Jammu and Kashmir Youth Development Forum (JKYDF) observed a 'black day' today to mark the 66th anniversary of tribal invasion of the Kashmir Valley by Pakistan army backed tribals in 1947.
"During the past, separatists used to force Kashmiris to observe Black Day on October 27 which coincides with the arrival of Indian army in Srinagar.
"People were led to believe that their problems started after October 27, 1947, and Pakistan provided funds and support to all anti-national groups who observe Black Day on October 27," chairman of the JKYDF Farooq Ganderbali said in a statement.
"Matter of the fact is that our sovereignty was violated on October 22, 1947 when hordes of tribesmen from North West Frontier of Pakistan attacked and invaded J&K State. Religion was not an issue to them and their victims included Muslims as well as non-Muslims. In fact, first person who was killed by these so called Jihadis was a Muslim from Muzaffarbad area of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir," he claimed.
Ganderbali said a seminar - first of its kind - was held to mark the invasion by the tribals.
"People from all walks of life which included lawyers, journalists, doctors, businessmen, politicians and students participated in the seminar and declared that the invasion was designed to force the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir to join Pakistan," he said.
"Our struggle is not against Pakistan or Pakistani people; it is against injustice and wrong policies of Pakistan and its agencies played from last 65 years in the state," he said.
