Sacrilege of Mosques & Shrines in Kashmir

In December 20, 2001, US scholar, Prof William Baker in his book Kashmir Happy Valley; Valley of Death, writes that Indian forces have closed more than 200 religious institutions and denied some 20,000 students the privilege of Islamic education. He saw charred remains of three destroyed Mosques. The remaining foundation structures and window frames were full of bullet holes. A Mosque near his houseboat was the scene of another slaughter by Indian forces. Fifteen Muslim worshippers including women, elderly men and children were killed in the Mosque with automatic weapons.

December 26, 1963

The sacred hair of Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (Peace be upon him) is taken away by the Indian agents from Hazratbal shrine. The holy relic restored to the shrine in mysterious circumstances on January 3, 1964.

February 21, 1992

BSF burn Madinatul Aloom and its library adjacent to Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar at night. At that time, the library contained more than 16,000 precious and valuable books and manuscripts. A three-member team headed by Mian Jalaluddin, ex-Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High court, conducts an unofficial inquiry and conclude that burning down of the library, and also The concurrent damage to the adjoining Mosque, is the handiwork of the BSF troops who were detailed on duty there. There was also evidence on the record that it was the BSF, who prevented fire fighting services from extinguishing the fire.

January 10, 1993

Troops desecrate a mosque and a shrine at Habbakadal, Srinagar when they entere the premises with their boots on.

October 11, 1993

Shrine of Hazrat Makhdoom Saheb in Srinagar is besieged by troops. They barged into the complex and mercilessly beat devotees with rifle butts causing them injuries.

October 15, 1993

The Indian troops besiege Hazratbal shrine, on the pretext of Mujahideen presence there. Heavy paramilitary contingents are reinforced and sand bag bunkers erected around the shrine before and after the siege. More than 65 people including women and children are captivated without any supply of food and essential commodities for 32 successive days. Even water supply to the shrine is cut off after the siege. More than 50 protesters are martyred and another 100 injured in indiscriminate firing by paramilitary forces in Bijbehara, Islamabad on October 22. Complete shutdown is observed in Kashmir for 32 days till the siege is lifted on November 16. The shrine is still under surveillance of troops frisking every visitor.

January 30, 1995

Troops blast a Mosque at Janwara in Sopore, Baramulla and mercilessly chop off both the ears of the Imam.

May 10, 1995

The Shrine of the poet-philosopher and saint, Shaikh Nuruddin Wali is put on fire by troops in Charare Sharif (Budgam). The complex included historic Mosque and hundreds of residential houses.

May 17, 1995

Troops capture the shrine of Baba Payamuddin alias Baba Reshi in Baramulla and set up military camp there prohibiting entry of pilgrims to the premises. Four pilgrim girls are dragged out the shrine and disgraced by Indian troops.

December 16, 1997

700 years old shrine dedicated to Shah-e-Hamadan in Tral, Pulwama, 50 kms from Srinagar, is set ablaze by troops.

January 1998

Troops enter with their boots on, into the shrine of Baba Dawood-e-Khaki at Batmaloo, in Srinagar and ransack sacred relilcs.

June 01, 1999

Indian troops burnt a mosque and a shrine at Boyeetainge in Sopore area.

August 10, 2000

Indian troops desecrate a Mosque in Rajauri, Jammu.

August 28, 2000

Rshtriya Rifles desecrate martyrs graveyard in Bonakot, Bandipora in Baramulla district, removing gravestones to pave way for establishing army camp

October 9, 2000

Indian agents steal relic of well-known saint Abdul Rahman Bulbul Shah (FA) from his shrine in Bulbul Lanker Mohalla, Srinagar, in the presence of police guards.

October 10, 2000

A mosque in Ganai Hamam, Baramulla is desecrated by SOG and paramilitary troops. Several Mosques are locked up by Indian army in Gool Gulabgarh area of Udhampore in Jammu division.

October 11, 2000

Troops raid a Mosque at Shopian, Pulwama and ransack the double-storey building.

January 1, 2001

Jamia Mosque Kishtwar is burnt

January 22, 2001

Attempt to blow up mosque at Thathri, Doda is foiled with timely detection of explosive device.

January 24, 2001

Troops attempt to blast mosque at Bhala in Thathri.

February 12, 2001

Troops raid Jamia Mosque Shivpura, Srinagar

March 13, 2001

2 mosques are desecrated in Shopian.

March 18, 2001

Troops raid Umar mosque at Ghani Stadium with boots on and carry out pillage.

April 27, 2001

Troops persecute Moazin and desecrate mosque at Jantraypora.

April 28, 2001

Demos are held at Zainakot, Srinagar against desecration of local mosque by troops.

May 07, 2001

Troops burn Mosque of Dhar , Bhadrwah, Doda.

June 8, 2001

STF open indiscriminate fire and hurl grenades on Juma congregation at Jamia mosque Charar-e-Sharif killing 4 persons and injuring 40 including women and children.

June 11, 2001

Mosque at Ganie Mohalla Shangas, Islamabad (Anantnag) is burnt by Indian troops.

July 8, 2001

Troops enter mosque Tarzu, Sopore and arrest 10 Namazis.

August 16, 2001

Hindu mob attacks/damages Jamia Mosque in Badder, Kishtwar.

August 19, 2001

Troops desecrate mosque in Padar, Doda.

September 12, 2001

Troops ransack mosque in Bungalowbagh.

October 26, 2001

Indian troops besiege and fire mortar shells on a mosque at Panzan in Chadura, Budgam.

November 11, 2001

Troops destroy mosque and burn Imambargah at Bundnoor, Beerwa

November 21, 2001

Troops raid mosque and beat up Namazis (worshippers) at Qazipora, Tangmerg.

November 30, 2001

Troops damage mosque in Hardmalpora, Budgam.

December 2, 2001

Troops damage mosque in Malpora, Budgam.

December 15, 2001

Troops desecrate old Jamia Mosque, Baramulla and carry out wreckage on pretext of search.

December 20, 2001

Mosque is torched at Aliposhpora, Pulwama.

January 09, 2002

34-RR men desecrate mosque in Kunzar, Tangmerg opening burst of fire on it, leaving one person killed and another injured.

January 27, 2002

SOG men desecrate mosque at Kawdara, Srinagar.

February 03, 2002

Personnel of 14-Rashtriya Rifles desecrate mosque and break bones and joints of 25 members of Tableeghi Jamat (religious preachers) in Pampore, Bandipora.

February 06, 2002

BSF men led by Asstt Commandant, Chandry, desecrate 2 mosques at Tregpora, Rafiabad. 2 Nimazis (worshippers) are arrested from mosque in Aamberpora, Tarzoo.

March 02, 2002

Indian forces besiege a shrine at Bahapora in Budgam, kill 2 devotees and damage 4 houses.

March 09, 2002

SOG personnel damage a mosque at Kreri Baramulla and kill two worshippers.

April 14, 2002

The troops raid Jamia mosque at Kolipora in Pulwama area this morning and take into custody Imam of the mosque, Maulvi Nazimuddin and a young worshiper (Nimazi) Abdul Razaq Lone. This sparkes furious anti-India demonstrations and spontaneous protest strike.

May 05, 2002

The Indian troops desecrate and wreck a mosque in Baramulla and burn the copies of the Holy Quran.

May 12, 2002

A mosque, 40 shops and 35 houses are burnt at Ukhral in Ramban tehsils.

June 02, 2002

The troops desecrate a mosque at Mandir Bagh locality of Srinagar.

July 07, 2002

Troops arrest Maulvi Nazir Ahmad, Imam of a mosque in Batmaloo locality of Srinagar while another Imam, Maulvi Ghulam Nabi Qasmi is reported missing in Sopore area. A religious scholar, Maulvi Tariq Ahmad is arrested in Shopian. Three nimazis (worshipers) are stripped naked, physically tortured and left in semi-conscious condition in Lolab area.

July 30, 2002

The Indian armed agents burn a Mosque at Damanpur area in Mahoor.

August 31, 2002

Imam of Mosque is shot dead in Tangmerg.

October 23, 2002

Indian armed agents burn a mosque and a house at Guzarbal-Bandipora.

November 19, 2002

The Indian troops kill one worshiper and desecrate a mosque at Shidara-Thanamandi.

November 28, 2002

The Indian agents desecrate a mosque and beat up several worshipers in Bandipora.

December 03, 2002

The Indian troops under the garb of so-called search operation laid siege around a mosque at village Shiekh Gund in Islamabad (Anantnag) district. They torture the people and also resort to firing, triggering panic and harassment in the area.

December 14, 2002

The troops desecrate a mosque and copies of the Holy Quran at Kenakadal-Srinagar. Protest demonstrations are held against the troops' outrage.

January 28, 2003

Troops open unprovoked fire on a mosque at Larnoo in Kulgam area of Islamabad district and smashed its windows.

January 17, 2003

Shrine of Hazrat Syed Shah Sahib (RA) at Utrasoo in Islamabad is gutted in a mysterious fire.

February 05, 2003

Troops besiege and desecrate a mosque at Yachgam-Budgam and severely thrash Imam of the mosque, Agha Syed Muhammad Sibtain al Moosavi. Forceful anti-India demonstrations are sparked by this outrage.

February 17, 2003

Indian troops desecrate a Jamia mosque in Doda district. The troops with their boots on conduct a thorough search of the mosque. This savage outrage spark widespread resentment in the area. Troops also burn to ashes a residential house at Kastigarh-Doda.

March 19, 2003

A mosque is besieged and the Imam of Mosque and 2 namazis arrested by troops at Tankipora-Srinagar.

March 21, 2003

Indian troops desecrate the shrine of Shah Fariddudin Baghdadi in Kishtawar-Doda.

June 16, 2003

Indian troops kill 50-year-old Imam of a mosque, Pir Abdul Qayoom Shah and his 11-year-old son, Maqsood Ahmad at Wagoora in Baramullah.

August 03, 2003

Troops of 193,batallion, conduct searches inside Hamza mosque in Bemina, Srinagar. The mosque is ransacked and sacred books desecrated.

August 17, 2003

An Imam of a mosque, Noor Muhammad Khan of Bankote-Bandipora, is arrested by Indian troops.

August 25, 2003

Indian troops desecrate the Central Jamia Mosque, Srinagar. Hundreds of Namazis are severely beaten up and dozens of innocent people arrested by the Indian troops.

September 09, 2003

Troops destroy a mosque at Renipora, Shopian. 3 dead bodies were recovered from debris.

February 19, 2004

Indian troops manhandled devotees who were attending a religions gathering at a mosque in village Lalhar in Pulwama district.

April 08, 2004

The Indian troops fired a rifle grenade that exploded near a mosque at Chak Arsalan Khan in Bandipore, injuring seven people.

June 10, 2004

The Indian troops destroyred a mosque with mortar shells on the pretext of Mujahideen presence there.