The Army is currently under scrutiny after allegations surfaced regarding the harassment and torture of five civilians in custody in Kishtwar district, located in the Chenab Valley of Jammu region. This locality has been grappling with heightened militancy and frequent gunbattles throughout the year. In response to the serious allegations, the Army has initiated a probe into the incident.
Farooq Ahmed Kripak, the sarpanch of Keshwan A, Thakrie in Kishtwar, expressed deep concerns about the ongoing situation in his village, stating that the local populace has been suffering since the tragic killing of two Village Defence Guards on November 9. He noted that it is common for 10 to 12 locals to be detained and interrogated on a daily basis.
The incident reached a critical point on November 20, when four civilians were reportedly apprehended in the early afternoon and subsequently released later that day, exhibiting signs of physical trauma and torture. Among the affected individuals identified by Kripak were Sajad Hussain, Mehraj Din, Ghulam Hassan, Mushtaq Ahmad, and Abdul Kabir, all of whom are relatively young, aged around 30 years.
The mood in the village has turned to one of shock and fear in light of the frequent detentions. Kripak further relayed that he had met with senior officials from the Jammu and Kashmir police and an Army officer on November 20 to discuss these troubling issues. He claimed to have received assurances from Army leadership that detentions would cease, yet he reported receiving calls from locals stating that approximately 12 more youths had been summoned to an Army installation for questioning, concerningly including an individual over the age of 65.
A video that surfaced online has compounded the situation, showing the injured civilians being transported while displaying visible signs of torture. In response to these claims, an Army spokesperson acknowledged the allegations and stated that an investigation would be conducted to determine the facts surrounding the incident. The Army is also monitoring the movements of a suspected group of terrorists following a specific intelligence-led operation launched by the Rashtriya Rifles on the same day as the alleged detentions.
Political figures such as Iltija Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party criticized the incident as part of a broader issue regarding laws that grant extensive powers and impunity to armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. She called for a thorough investigation by the Army to ensure accountability for any misconduct.
This recent incident in Kishtwar is not isolated, as the district has witnessed several exchanges of fire between militants and security forces this year, underlining a volatile security situation in the region. Notably, the region has been the site of tragic events, including the murder of two Village Defence Guards in early November, and a broader pattern of violence has resulted in the deaths of civilians and security personnel alike throughout the year. Prior allegations have been documented regarding custodial torture by the Army in other areas, further raising concerns about military operations in the sensitive region.
