SRINAGAR – In occupied Kashmir, Hurriyat leaders have welcomed statement ofPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman, Imran Khan calling for resolution ofKashmir dispute through dialogue.

In a tweet, Chairman Hurriyat forum Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said Kashmiripeople welcome statement of Imran Khan saying Kashmir is core issue betweenPakistan and India and needs to be resolved through dialogue.

Mirwaiz urged the two neighboring countries to take steps to give realpeace a chance.

In separate statements, other Hurriyat leaders and organizations includingAgha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi and Tehreek-e-Wahdat-e-Islami also appreciatedPTI Chief Imran Khan’s statement on Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz said Kashmiriswould resist any machinations over the Article 35-A that grants specialstatus to Jammu and Kashmir in Indian constitution.

He said Indian Supreme Court will hear a petition seeking abrogation ofArticle 35-A on 6th August.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat leaders led demonstrations in Srinagar and Sopore areasagainst illegal detention of Kashmiris lodged in different jails of Indiaand occupied territory.

People took to the streets after Indian forces’ personnel vandalizedproperty at Goriwan Chowk in Bijbehara area of Islamabad district.

Complete shutdown was observed in Islamabad town and in different areas ofKulgam district, today (Friday), against the killings of two youth, AbidHussain Butt and Bilal Ahmad Dar by Indian troops.

The occupation authorities imposed undeclared curfew in different areas ofIslamabad town, today, to prevent people from staging protests against thekillings.

Hundreds of people amid high-pitched anti-India and pro-freedom slogansparticipated in funeral prayers of Abid Hussain Butt in Suzan area of Dodadistrict.

Indian troops conducted cordon and search operations in Srinagar, Bandiporaand Baramulla areas, causing huge inconvenience to the people.

Indian police arrested five youth during raids in Dreed Kalipora area ofShopian.