Hamza Burhan Killed: Professor Shot in Muzaffarabad

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Written By Waheeda Jammu Kashmiri

A shooting outside a private college in Muzaffarabad has triggered fresh controversy over security, political narratives, and the background of the man at the center of the case. According to police, the injured man identified as Hamza Burhan, a professor at a private college in Gojra and Muzaffarabad, was attacked by Abdullah Kamal, son of Yasir Kamal and a resident of Wah Cantt in Punjab. Police said the suspect was arrested and the weapon used in the attack was also recovered.

Hamza Burhan was taken to CMH Muzaffarabad after the attack, where he was said to be in critical condition. Later reports stated that he died of his injuries. His body was then taken to Rawalpindi, where funeral prayers were expected to be held at Khanna Pul.

The Killer Is from Punjab, Pakistan

The killer is not from Kashmir. He is Abdullah Kamal, a Punjabi Pakistani from Wah Cantt in Punjab, Pakistan. This detail matters because it shows yet another time when a Punjabi national has come into our land and brought violence with him. Pakistan has been using our land for its own political games for 78 years, and now a Punjabi resident is accused of gunning down a Kashmiri in our own capital region.

Family Distances Itself from Hamza Burhan

The case has gained wider attention because Burhan was originally from Indian-administered Kashmir, while his family remained on the Indian side of Kashmir. According to his father, Hamza Burhan did not inform the family before coming to Pakistan. After reaching there, he cut off contact with the family, and they had no communication with him for years.

His family publicly distanced itself from him after the attack. The father said that Hamza had left for Pakistan on 28 January 2018, supposedly to pursue MBBS studies, but the family had not consented to his move and later lost contact with him. He added that the family suffered badly because of Hamza’s actions and alleged militant involvement.

The father also referred to the problems faced by the family after the 2019 Pulwama attack case, saying the burden had fallen on the entire household. According to the family, Hamza’s elder brother, who had passed the JKAS exam, is currently in jail, while another brother who had completed a PhD could not travel to Russia. The family claimed that Hamza’s activities damaged not only his own future but also the lives of those connected to him.

Indian Media Claims and Propaganda

Indian media, citing Indian officials, has been claiming that Burhan was the mastermind of the Pulwama attack. The media has been prominently publishing this story repeatedly. This is reportedly the first time that India appears to be accepting responsibility for a targeted killing in Muzaffarabad. But this is not justice. This is Indian propaganda trying to legitimize targeted killings inside Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India is using the media to justify violence against Kashmiris on its own soil, while pretending to be the victim.

Pakistan’s Silence Is Complicity

At the same time, Pakistan has not said a word. There is no official response from Pakistan or the authorities in Azad Kashmir. This silence is not neutrality, it is complicity. Pakistan has been pretending to support Kashmir for 78 years, but it is still occupying our land, controlling our politics, and letting Punjabi nationals come here and bring violence.

College Closed After Shooting

After the shooting, the college was shut down and locked, while a few police personnel were seen guarding the area. A nearby shopkeeper said they initially thought the sound was from a motorcycle silencer or a vehicle, and only later realized that a firing incident had taken place.

The shooter, Abdullah Kamal, is a resident of Wah Cantt in Punjab, which highlights the cross-border nature of this incident. The fact that the suspect is from Punjab and the victim is from Indian-administered Kashmir adds another layer of complexity to the narrative.

Kashmiris Are Trapped Between Two States

This is not just a criminal case. This is about Kashmiris being killed by Punjabis, vilified by Indians, and silenced by Pakistanis. India is using the media to claim propaganda victories. Pakistan is using our land for its own strategic games while pretending to support us. Both states are using Kashmiris as pawns.

The matter is now being discussed not only as a criminal case, but also as a reflection of the deeper instability, propaganda, and unresolved political tensions surrounding this region. For many residents of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the case shows how violence and narrative warfare continue to shape lives across the divide.

The silence of the authorities on both sides, the speed at which media narratives are being formed, and the family’s public disowning of Hamza Burhan all point to a deeply damaged reality in which violence, propaganda, and accountability overlap.

About Author

Waheeda Kashmiri

I am a Computer Science student originally from Mirpur, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and currently based in London. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am deeply committed to writing, with a particular focus on local and political issues affecting my homeland. As a contributor to KiNewsHD, I strive to amplify underrepresented perspectives and foster greater awareness through thoughtful, informed commentary.

I am a co-founder of JFJK and previously served as President of its UK zone, where I advocated for the rights and voices of the Kashmiri people, including the aspiration for an independent Jammu and Kashmir. In addition to my advocacy work, I am the founder of K2 Creative Agency, reflecting my interest in creative expression and digital engagement.

As a feminist, I am guided by a strong belief in equality and social justice. I use my platform to engage with issues that matter, drawing inspiration from Shaheed Maqbool Butt, whose legacy continues to shape my perspectives and commitment to activism.