Geneva: During an important intervention at the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the growing threat of cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and the grave issue of civilian killings were brought to international attention.
Addressing the session via video conference from Geneva, Islamic scholar Basharat Hussain Thaqafi, representing the people of the Jammu and Kashmir region, expressed serious concern over the continued loss of human lives due to terrorist activities. He stated that between 2021 and 2023, more than 100 people lost their lives in attacks linked to Pakistan-based terror groups, reflecting a consistent pattern of targeting innocent civilians.
Referring to recent incidents, he mentioned the killing of Mohammad Razaq, a resident of Thanamandi, in April 2024, allegedly carried out by terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba. According to Thaqafi, the incident was part of a systematic strategy aimed at spreading fear and destabilizing the social fabric of the region.
He also highlighted a horrific attack in Rajouri district in 2023, where armed terrorists entered residential houses, opened indiscriminate fire, and later triggered an improvised explosive device (IED). The attack resulted in the death of seven civilians and injuries to more than twelve others, including women, elderly individuals, and children. Several victims were minors, underscoring the brutal and indiscriminate nature of the violence.
Thaqafi stated that such repeated attacks have severely disrupted normal life in border areas. Local economies have weakened, small businesses are on the brink of collapse, and families are living under constant fear and insecurity.
He emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir aspire for peace, development, and stability, but the activities of terror networks based in Pakistan have not only undermined these prospects but also pushed thousands of families into socio-economic distress.
Highlighting the moral dimension, he cited the Holy Quran (Surah Al-Ma’idah, Verse 32), which equates the killing of an innocent person with the killing of all humanity. He noted that such teachings clearly reject violence against civilians and deem acts of terrorism entirely unethical.
Concluding his address, Basharat Hussain Thaqafi urged the international community to take serious cognizance of these incidents and ensure accountability of those responsible, so that innocent civilians are protected and fundamental human rights are upheld.
