MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 3: Activists of Jamaat-i-Islami Azad Jammu and Kashmir (JIAJK) on Sunday expressed solidarity with the struggling Kashmiris across the Line of Control (LoC) and condemned Indian atrocities.

The JIAJK activists lined up on both sides of a bazaar, in Chakothi, 60 kilometres north of here, and held each other’s hands to form symbolic chains. Some also raised their hands while chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

“Our course of action: Holy War,” was their oft-repeated slogan on the occasion.

Interestingly, Chakothi bazaar is overlooked by the Indian army posts situated on lofty mountains across the LoC. Prior to the 2003 ceasefire, it was regularly pounded by the Indian troops with artillery shells.

Speaking to participants, Sheikh Aqeelur Rehman, commander Shamshir Khan and others took strong exception to what they called passiveness of the international community towards flagrant human rights abuses in Indian held Kashmir.

If the international community was genuinely concerned about peace in South Asia, it will have to facilitate early settlement of the issue of Kashmir in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, they said.

Otherwise, they warned, peace would remain a distant dream.

The speakers vowed to continue struggle until the eviction of Indian soldiers from Kashmir.

They also paid tributes to Qazi Hussain Ahmed, former amir of JI Pakistan, for his strong commitment to the cause of Kashmiris and prayed for the deliverance of his soul.

Earlier, the JIAJK activists reached Chakothi in a motorcycle rally, which started from press club Muzaffarabad, with its participants hoisting JI flags. The rally was greeted with welcoming slogans in many towns, on its way to Chakothi.— Staff Correspondent