Muzaffarabad: Burhan Muzaffar Wani's martyrdom has utterly destroyed India's global propaganda that portrayed the Kashmir freedom movement as a project run on foreign orders. That single act of sacrifice not only exposed New Delhi's lies to the world but also reignited the entire resistance and raised it to new heights. Even today, Burhan Wani lives on in the hearts and minds of Kashmiris, who have clearly not forgotten their brave and fearless son. He remains a powerful symbol of armed resistance, said Syed Salahuddin Ahmad while addressing the Shaheed Burhan Conference held to mark the tenth martyrdom anniversary of the late Hizbul Mujahideen commander.
Syed Salahuddin Ahmad added that Burhan Wani stands as an immortal icon of Kashmiri defiance against Indian occupation and his legacy continues to fuel the freedom struggle with unrelenting force. Burhan successfully revived the fading spirit of resistance among the people. India may manage to silence brave young men like him through brute force, but it can never extinguish the deep and burning desire for freedom that runs through Kashmiri hearts. As long as Indian forces maintain their illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, new Burhans will continue to emerge from every corner of the occupied territory.
He emphasised that the most fitting way to honour Burhan Wani and the hundreds of thousands of other martyrs is to carry their mission forward tirelessly until complete victory is achieved. Many senior commanders have laid down their lives along this path, yet none has come close to the unique fame and place Burhan secured in the hearts of the people.
Salahuddin Ahmad made it clear that Pakistan is the only genuine advocate and ambassador for Kashmiris on the world stage. Being a principal party to the Kashmir dispute, Pakistan carries a heavy responsibility to extend concrete and meaningful support to the oppressed Kashmiris so that India's illegal and brutal occupation can finally be brought to an end. Pakistan itself remains incomplete without Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmiris hold both their homeland and Pakistan equally dear. When their brothers are martyred in Pakistan, their hearts bleed with grief. The time has come to strike the enemy where it hurts most and force it to abandon its anti-Pakistan activities outside its borders.
He dismissed empty slogans, routine condemnations, and hollow chants of victory or defeat, pointing out that such things have never liberated even an inch of land. The only effective answer to the Yahood and Hunood - the most vicious anti-human and anti-Islam forces in the world - lies in coordinated, precise, and relentless struggle. Both occupied Palestine and occupied Jammu and Kashmir are crying out for help, and it is the duty of all humanity, especially the Muslim Ummah, to step forward and actively support them in breaking the chains of occupation and barbarity.
Salahuddin Ahmad stressed that Hizbul Mujahideen must play a leading role in the days ahead, and therefore the organisation and its supporters need to prepare themselves thoroughly and seriously for the challenges to come.
Deputy chief of Hizbul Mujahideen Saifullah Khalid also addressed the gathering and paid rich tributes to Burhan Wani. He underlined that the real tribute to Burhan and his companions lies in remaining steadfast and advancing this just struggle to its logical end without any fear or hesitation. He further added that Kashmiris will never show any signs of fatigue and continue our war for liberation under any circumstances. He also thanked hundreds of people for participating in the conference despite extreme heat conditions. Khawaja Muhammad Shahbaz, head of education and training, delivered the opening speech, while Qari Musab-ul-Haq performed the duties of stage secretary. Tahir Ijaz and Syed Mubarak Shah presented poetic tributes to the martyr. Despite the intense heat, a large crowd turned out for the event.
At the conclusion of the conference, participants took a firm pledge that Kashmiris will continue marching on the path shown by Burhan Wani until they achieve full freedom from Indian rule. They affirmed that no amount of force can ever erase Burhan's legacy or crush the unyielding longing for independence that lives in Kashmiri hearts. The event ended with special prayers for the elevation of the martyrs' ranks in Heavens and for the liberation of occupied territories of Kashmir and Palestine.