February 22-23 marked the 35th anniversary of the horrific tragedy in Kunan Poshpora, where hundreds of women in the Indian occupied Kashmir Valley were subjected to mass rape by the occupying Indian military forces.
This dark chapter in occupied Kashmir’s history remains a deep scar, one that has yet to heal, and the survivors continue to wait for justice.
On the fateful night of February 22-23, 1991, the Indian army, intoxicated and brutal, stormed into the district of Kupwara and forcibly removed civilians from their homes. Armed with guns and unchecked power, they surrounded the area and unleashed violence on the women, subjecting them to unimaginable atrocities.
Eyewitness Osman Ali Hashim recalled the terror of that night. He described how the army, with weapons in hand, rounded up the men, women, and children of Kunan Poshpora at gunpoint and subjected the women to horrific violence. Despite the passage of 35 years, these women, who endured such brutality under the direct patronage of the Indian state, have yet to see justice.
The gruesome event was part of a broader strategy to instill fear and suppress the voices of self-determination and affiliation with Pakistan within the local population. Tragedies like Kunan Poshpora serve as a reminder of the thousands of Kashmiri youth who have suffered at the hands of the Indian military in their fight for freedom, identity, and affiliation with Pakistan.
Kashmiri women, too, have been at the forefront of resistance, displaying immense resilience and courage. Their stories of sacrifice and endurance remain an inspiring testament to their spirit. Yet, the mothers, sisters, and daughters of Kunan Poshpora are still waiting for justice. The international community remains silent, leaving the survivors of this grave injustice without the accountability they deserve.
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