Grave human rights abuses continue in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where Kashmiri youth are being detained arbitrarily and subjected to brutal treatment, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.
According to the Kashmir Media Service, Indian troops in Bandipora district tortured and killed Firdous Ahmed Mir, a father of three, while in custody. His body, bearing marks of severe torture, was later recovered from the Jhelum River. The post-mortem report confirmed a ruptured kidney and multiple signs of custodial violence.
The killing sparked widespread protests in Hajin, Bandipora, with demonstrators demanding justice for the bereaved family and punishment for the soldiers responsible. Witnesses say a heavy crackdown and an undeclared curfew were imposed in an attempt to stifle public outrage.
KMS further reported that under the cover of the recent Pahalgam incident, Indian occupying forces arrested over 3,190 Kashmiris, demolished 81 homes, and killed 44 youth in staged encounters.
This is the second such custodial killing reported in Bandipora within two weeks. Earlier, another youth, Zohur Ahmed Sofi, was killed in police custody under similar circumstances.
Meanwhile, political voices opposing the occupation are also being silenced. Last week, Meraj Malik, MLA from Doda district, was arrested under the draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) after raising concerns about government neglect of flood victims.
Prominent Kashmiri parliamentarian Agha Ruhullah condemned the ongoing campaign against Kashmiri identity, language, and religion, stressing that the people must continue their struggle for justice, dignity, and rights.
Despite mass detentions, extrajudicial killings, and widespread protests, the Kashmir Media Service said that the resilience of Kashmiris shows India is “losing its war” in the valley despite deploying nearly a million troops.