The Inter-Services Public Relations on Saturday released a song as an expression of solidarity with the people of India-held Kashmir.

The song was released hours ahead of Kashmir Day, which is observed in Pakistan supporting the right of self-determination for the people of India-held Kashmir.

The ISPR paid a rich tribute to the youth of held Kashmir and their struggle in the song titled "Sangbaaz" (stone pelters). The song is picturised using actual footage from inside India-held Kashmir.

The song starts with the popular chant of "We will take our freedom, from India we will take our freedom", which is frequently heard in protests in the region.

"O Kashmir, your beauty depicts your pain, there are tears in your eyes and chains around your feet," are the starting lyrics of the song.

“You can pluck out my eyes but can never snatch my dreams,” is the punch line of the song.

The song describes the oppression and hardships that the people of India-held Kashmir are subjected to by Indian forces. It also highlights the resilience and valour of Kashmiri youth.

Escalation along the LoC

Tensions between Pakistan and India have been running high, with an escalation in ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and Working Boundary.

Cross-border firing appears to have become a new normal following an Indian claim of a 'surgical strike', unrest in Kashmir and the Uri army base attack in September.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped up a drive to isolate Pakistan diplomatically after the Uri army base attack in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed. Hours after the attack occurred, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed Pakistan a 'terrorist state' and accused Pakistan of involvement.

The Uri attack occurred days before Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was set to address the United Nations General Assembly regarding Indian human rights violations in held Kashmir.

Following the attack, India claimed it had conducted a cross-border 'surgical strike' against 'launch pads of terror' in Azad Jammu and Kashmir — a claim Pakistan has strongly rejected.

Pakistan maintains that India is attempting to divert the world's attention away from atrocities committed by government forces in India-held Kashmir.

Pakistan and India have, most recently, locked horns over Kashmir since Indian forces stepped up a crackdown against protesters after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed by government forces in July.