On February 23, 1991, one of the most heinous and heart-wrenching tragedies unfolded in the village of Pochun Pora, located in the Kupwara district of Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This date marks a grave reminder of the systematic violence, brutality, and gross human rights violations inflicted upon the innocent Kashmiri populace by the Indian armed forces. The Pochun Pora Massacre stands as an indelible stain on the conscience of the international community, symbolizing the relentless oppression faced by the people of Kashmir—proof that might is not always right and that oppression only sows the seeds of resistance.
"The Tragic Night of February 23, 1991"
On the fateful night of February 23, the Indian Army, under the guise of counterinsurgency operations, launched a massive cordon and search operation in Pochun Pora, a small village near Kupwara. The operation was carried out by the 4th Rajputana Rifles, a regiment of the Indian Army known for its involvement in counterinsurgency activities in the region. The village was completely sealed off, isolating it from the outside world.
Under the pretext of searching for militants, soldiers entered homes and unleashed unimaginable brutality upon the villagers. Men were dragged out of their homes, beaten, and subjected to torture and inhumane treatment. However, the most horrifying aspect of this massacre was the mass sexual violence perpetrated against Kashmiri women.
Women, regardless of their age, were subjected to gang rape, molestation, and sexual torture. The cries of these innocent women echoed through the village, but there was no one to rescue them from the brutality of the occupying forces. Indeed, when the fox guards the henhouse, tragedy is inevitable.
"Human Rights Concerns and the Unheard Pleas for Justice"
The Pochun Pora Massacre is a glaring example of state-sponsored human rights violations in Kashmir. The widespread sexual violence, torture, and extrajudicial actions committed by the Indian Army violate the Geneva Conventions and international human rights laws. Following the massacre, the survivors and families of the victims demanded justice, hoping for international intervention.
However, their pleas were met with silence. The Indian authorities dismissed allegations of mass rape and torture, despite numerous accounts from survivors, witnesses, and human rights organizations. Justice, like a mirage in the desert, remained out of reach.
Independent investigations conducted by human rights groups such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) confirmed that systematic sexual violence was used as a weapon of war in Pochun Pora. Survivors testified about the horrific incidents, yet the Indian state refused to hold the perpetrators accountable. Even after decades, no justice has been served to the victims of this heinous crime. The mills of justice grind slowly, but in Kashmir, they seem to have stopped altogether.
"Historical Parallels: Lessons from Other Occupied Regions"
The atrocities committed in Pochun Pora bear a striking resemblance to war crimes in other occupied regions, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War (1992-1995). The systematic mass rapes committed by Serbian forces in Foča and Srebrenica were later classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Perpetrators, including high-ranking military officials, were sentenced to long prison terms for their involvement in sexual violence and ethnic cleansing.
Similarly, during World War II, the Nazi occupation of Eastern Europe saw the mass execution and rape of women in Poland and the Soviet Union. The Nuremberg Trials set a precedent for prosecuting war crimes, holding Nazi officials accountable for their inhumane acts.
The Pochun Pora Massacre shares these disturbing patterns of state-backed violence, yet remains largely ignored on the global stage. If similar cases in Europe were met with international trials and accountability, why should Kashmir be any different? Justice should not be a privilege of the powerful but a right of the oppressed.
"Pochun Pora: A Symbol of Kashmiri Resilience"
Despite the immense pain and suffering inflicted upon the people of Pochun Pora, this tragedy did not break their spirit. Instead, it fueled the resilience of the Kashmiri people in their fight for freedom, dignity, and self-determination. The massacre exposed the brutal face of Indian occupation and brought international attention to the plight of Kashmiris, even if justice remained elusive.
A wounded lion is still a lion—Kashmiris refuse to bow down to tyranny. Every year, February 23 is observed in Kashmir as a day of remembrance for the victims of Pochun Pora and other similar atrocities. This day serves as a grim reminder of the systematic war crimes committed in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, calling for global action against human rights violations in the region.
"The International Silence and the Need for Justice"
The Pochun Pora Massacre is just one among many war crimes committed in Kashmir. The international community, particularly human rights organizations, the United Nations, and world powers, must take decisive action against state-sponsored violence in Kashmir.
The perpetrators of the Pochun Pora Massacre must be held accountable in international courts. The survivors and families of the victims deserve justice, recognition, and reparations. The right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people, as enshrined in UN resolutions, must be upheld to ensure that such tragedies never occur again. To turn a blind eye is to be complicit.
"Towards Justice and Reconciliation"
Moving forward, the struggle for justice for the victims of the Pochun Pora Massacre must continue. International human rights organizations must push for independent investigations, legal accountability, and reparations for the survivors. There is a need to establish stronger mechanisms to prevent such atrocities and hold perpetrators accountable under international law. Efforts should be made to document the experiences of survivors and integrate them into global human rights advocacy.
Diplomatic pressure from international bodies must be exerted on India to allow fair investigations and judicial redress for Kashmiri victims. Additionally, a peace-oriented dialogue involving all stakeholders, including Kashmiri voices, should be encouraged to address the root causes of violence and ensure a future free from oppression and human rights abuses.
Sustainable peace in the region can only be achieved by recognizing and addressing the injustices of the past while ensuring political solutions that respect the will of the Kashmiri people. The Pochun Pora Massacre remains an unforgettable chapter in Kashmir’s painful history. It is not just a story of suffering and injustice but also one of resilience and resistance. As the people of Kashmir continue their struggle for justice and freedom, the world must not turn a blind eye to their plight. If history has taught us anything, it is that oppression does not last forever—truth will prevail.
The blood of the innocent may have been shed, but their spirit lives on in the unwavering resolve of the Kashmiri people. Justice delayed is justice denied, but justice ignored is a crime against humanity.