In a concerning development from Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, the Indian Army has initiated an investigation into allegations of custodial torture involving civilians who were recently detained for questioning related to a series of militant attacks in the area. Reports indicate that four daily wage laborers were summoned for interrogation by the Rashtriya Rifles at their base in Mughal Maidan on Wednesday morning and were released just hours later.
Families of the detainees expressed deep distress over the treatment their loved ones received while in custody. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the individuals were subjected to severe physical assaults, leaving some unable to walk and requiring assistance from relatives. Locals have reported that at least two of the victims displayed noticeable injuries, including bluish-red marks on their legs and buttocks, allegedly resulting from flogging with a hard object. One victim sustained a laceration on the head, while another suffered significant swelling around the left eye, suspected to be from a blunt force impact. Reports highlighted visible signs of physical abuse on all four individuals.
The situation escalated when family members attempted to transport the victims to the Kishtwar district hospital for medical treatment but were allegedly obstructed by military personnel. In response to the situation, the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps made a public statement on X, confirming that an investigation has been launched into the reported “ill-treatment of civilians” occurring during an ongoing anti-terror operation in the region. The statement acknowledged that based on specific intelligence regarding the movements of a terrorist group in Kishtwar, the Army initiated an operation on November 20, which led to the inquiries and subsequent allegations.
The Army’s investigation aims to ascertain the facts surrounding the allegations and ensure appropriate follow-up actions are taken. Furthermore, it was noted that the monitoring of terrorist activities in the area is ongoing, indicating the Army’s commitment to addressing security concerns in the region while also addressing the claims of civilian mistreatment.
