New Delhi, September 20: Pakistan has declared slain terrorist Burhan Wani a "freedom icon" by commemorating him with a stamp reading "Burhan Wani (1994-2016) freedom icon". Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, along with two of his associates, was killed in a gun battle with police in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on July 8, 2016. Jammu & Kashmir: 5 Militants Killed by Forces in Kulgam Encounter

Not just Burhan Wani, Pakistan has also honoured other terrorists who have been killed by Indian security forces in the Kashmir valley over the past few years. Pakistan has issued 20 stamps to express their "solidarity with Kashmiris in their fight against the Indian oppression" and to "commemorate the victims of atrocities by Indian troops in Kashmir". Jammu And Kashmir: Three Terrorists Killed In Kakriyal Encounter

The stamps issued by the Philately Bureau, Karachi on 'Kashmir Martyrs Day' also carry images of other terrorists gunned down with captions on 'use of chemical weapons', 'use of pellet guns', 'mass graves', 'braid chopping'.

"It is nothing but an attempt by the neighbouring country to malign our country’s image. I am a philatelist for more than two decades, but I have never come across such stamps that are a distortion of facts. The postal departments issue commemoration stamps to popularise their culture and uniqueness, but this is in poor taste," philatelist C Tamilvannan as quoted by TOI.

The stamps have been put up on sale on e-bay for approximately Rs 500. In Pakistan, the stamps are sold at Rs8 (local currency) per piece.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2018 11:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).