The Pakistani people organised protests against Pakistan on Saturday and Sunday to commemorate the invasion of Kashmir by the Pakistani army and tribal raiders. Protests were also held in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) as local people condemned Pakistan for the attack on Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in October 1947 soon after the partition of India.
Political activists in POK, Asad Nawaz and Abid Shaheen, from the Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party (JKNAP) and leaders from other regional parties organised demonstrations in Bagh, Ajira, Rawalakot and Pindi in POK. The protesters also raised anti-army slogans as they waved black flags and anti-Pakistan banners with “Black Day” written on them.
October 22 in India is observed as ‘Black Day’ as the Pakistani invasion, called Operation Gulmarg, resulted in thousands of deaths and atrocities on women. The Pakistani army and the raiders indulged in looting and senseless massacre of innocent people. The invasion took place immediately after the trauma of partition where the wounds of the people were still raw.
Pakistani forces annexed a large part of J&K through the invasion.
The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) organised protests in Europe and the US to mark October 22 as the day of invasion and division of Jammu and Kashmir. Demonstrations were held in POK capital Muzaffarabad, in Europe, Britain, the United States and North America.
The Indian diaspora joined the protests in various European cities. They demanded an end to terrorism by Pakistan and the return of peace to Kashmir. The protestors demanded unification of J&K and more rights for the people of the region.