Indian forces arrest JKLF chairman, others in crackdown on Kashmiri leaders

In a crackdown on leaders in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK), Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman Yasin Malik was arrested by Indian forces in Srinagar on Saturday .

The JKLF chairman was taken to Kothibagh police station, after the Indian police raided his house in Maisuma residence in Srinagar. After the Pulwama attack, Indian forces have launched a massive crackdown against pro-freedom leaders and activists.

The Indian forces have arrested dozens of leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami from their residences during raids across IoK. Those taken into custody include Dr Abdul Hamid Fayaz, Advocate Zahid Ali, Ghulam Qadir Lone, Abdur Rauf, Mudassir Ahmed, Abdul Salam, Bakhtawar Ahmed, Muhammad Hayat, Bilal Ahmed and Ghulam Muhammad Dar, Kashmir Media Service reported.

All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the arrest of the chairman and wrote, "Strongly condemn the nocturnal crackdown on Jamat-e-Islami leadership and cadres and the arrest of Yasin Malik." The leader further wrote that such illegal and coercive measures against Kashmiri’s were futile and will not change realities on ground. "Force and intimidation will only worsen the situation," he added.

Meanwhile, India is airlifting 100 additional companies of paramilitary soldiers to Srinagar to be deployed in IoK on urgent basis.

The atrocities of Indian forces continue in occupied Kashmir while the safety of Kashmiris living across India is also under threat after the Pulwama attack last week. In order to ensure the protection of minorities in India, the Supreme Court of India issued ordered on Thursday to the director general police of several states to ensure the protection of minorities and Kashmiris, especially students, from any violence, following the Pulwama attack.