Kashmiris in London protest against the killing of their leader in Pakistan

Protesters from the Kashmir National Party (KNP) demonstrated in front of the Pakistan High Commission in London against the recent killing of their leader Arif Shahid in Pakistan.

"It was a targeted killing and the purpose was to get rid of Arif Shahid because of the struggle he was pursuing. He was a thorough nationalist and many people admire his struggle. He becomes a martyr in the freedom struggle since he was fighting against forceful occupation of our homeland," said Shabbir Chaudhary, a KNP leader at the protest.

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"What Pakistan is trying to do is to eliminate all those people who they feel are exposing them. The reason why we are here is to protest against this. We are saying, Pakistanis are responsible, the Pakistan government is responsible for this, and their agencies are responsible for this. If they think they have not done it and we are wrong then prove us wrong by finding the culprits. In any case, it is their responsibility to ensure that they find the culprits, and they ensure that those people who are advancing their cause peacefully must be protected," said Shabbir Chaudhary.

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62-year-old Arif Shahid, the chief of All Parties National Alliance (APNA), was killed by unknown persons who opened indiscriminate fire on him while he was returning home from

his office in Rawalpindi.

The KNP activists started a five day long hunger strike on Monday (May 20) outside the embassy against the killing and demanded the arrest of killers.

The murdered leader headed the All Parties National Alliance (APNA) and was also an outspoken critic of Pakistan's interior policy towards Kashmir.

The leaders from Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) called Shahid a martyr and said his death was a big loss.

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The protesters gathered with placards, poster and banners and observed a silent protest on the first day of their hunger strike.

For most of them, it is a protest against the excesses committed by the Pakistani state against those who are leading peaceful movements within the country.

They raised slogans against Pakistani agencies for killing nationalist leaders and civilians from Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK).

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International rights groups, including the Brussels-based South Asian Democratic Forum have condemned the killing of Shahid.

Human rights outfits also raised the issue of prominent nationalist leaders in various parts of Pakistan being assassinated or targeted by state backed agencies.

Arif Shahid is one among the thousands who have fallen victims to Pakistani agencies.