As Pakistan marked six years since India revoked Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, the country’s armed forces released a unified message reaffirming unwavering support for Kashmiris living under Indian control.
In a strongly worded statement issued on August 5, Pakistan’s military leadership — including Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, alongside the heads of the navy and air force — denounced what they described as a continued “illegal occupation” of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The message, distributed via the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), condemned the Indian state’s actions as violations of international law and human rights.
Military Critique of Indian Policies in Kashmir
According to the statement, India’s handling of Kashmir — which includes a prolonged military presence, allegations of systemic human rights abuses, and demographic changes — represents a direct challenge to international norms. The military termed the developments “deeply concerning,” calling attention to the ongoing siege-like conditions in the region.
Highlighting the significance of international law, the Pakistani military pointed to United Nations Security Council resolutions that affirm the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. “The struggle of Kashmiris is legitimate, and Pakistan’s armed forces fully back their pursuit of that right,” the statement declared.
Escalating Rhetoric and Regional Fallout
The statement also criticized what it called India’s “repressive tactics and inflammatory rhetoric,” warning that such policies were contributing to instability across South Asia. While tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have simmered since 2019, Pakistan continues to frame the Kashmir issue as not just a bilateral concern, but a broader regional threat.
“The region cannot hope for sustained peace without resolving the Kashmir dispute in a fair and peaceful manner,” the military leaders emphasized.
Tribute to Kashmiri Resistance
In a nod to those who have resisted Indian rule, Pakistan’s military paid homage to the individuals it considers martyrs of the Kashmiri freedom struggle. The statement reiterated the country’s commitment to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the people of Kashmir in their pursuit of independence.
A Call for International Engagement
While the statement largely echoed Pakistan’s consistent stance on Kashmir, its timing and tone reflect a push to reengage global attention on the issue. With geopolitical dynamics shifting and the Kashmir situation largely absent from recent international diplomatic priorities, Pakistan’s military leadership appears intent on reigniting conversation about what it views as a long-standing injustice.
As the region enters a seventh year since the constitutional changes in Kashmir, the message from Pakistan’s armed forces makes clear that — at least from Islamabad’s perspective — the dispute is far from over.
