18 Kashmiris Martyred by Indian Troops since July 28 in IIOJK: Report

The horrifying truth of Indian state terrorism in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has been exposed yet again. A new report shows that Indian troops have martyred 18 Kashmiris since the end of July. This report details a clear and intensified campaign of violence, illegal killings, and mass arrests directed by the Modi government. This brutal new wave of repression, especially under the name “Operation Mahadev,” is not a fight against terrorism. It is a clear plan to crush the unbroken spirit of the Kashmiri people and has turned the occupied territory into a land of fear and state-sponsored violence.

A New and Brutal Campaign of State Terror

Since late July 2025, Indian forces have massively increased their violent operations across IIOJK. They have launched a new campaign that has brought a fresh cycle of death and misery to the people who are already living under a lockdown.

♦ The Launch of ‘Operation Mahadev’: After its old plans failed, the Indian army started “Operation Mahadev” in Srinagar on July 28. This is a full scale military attack involving thousands of soldiers from the army, police, and other forces.

♦ A Shocking Death Toll: This operation has already led to the martyrdom of at least 18 Kashmiris in just a few weeks. This shows the ruthless way the Indian state is carrying out its policy of violent suppression.

The Cruelty and Deceit of Fake Encounters

A key part of India’s military plan in Kashmir continues to be the use of staged encounters. In these incidents, innocent civilians are murdered in cold blood. They are then falsely called militants to justify the killings and create a fake story of success.

♦ Killing Innocents in Dachigam: During an operation in Dachigam, Indian forces martyred three young Kashmiri men. They immediately claimed the men were linked to an attack. However, local people have bravely stated that the youths were innocent and were murdered in a staged encounter.

♦ A Disturbing Pattern of Custodial Killings: The report shows that at least 12 young men, including Sulaiman Shah and Yasir Ahmed, were martyred in similar fake encounters or were killed after being arrested by Indian forces.

Mass Arrests and the Use of Cruel Laws

Along with the campaign of illegal killings, Indian forces have carried out a huge crackdown. They have randomly arrested hundreds of young people and are using cruel laws to jail them without any charge or trial.

♦ Over Four Hundred Youths Arrested: During this time, more than 400 youths have been arrested in massive house raids and search operations. This has created an atmosphere of pure terror in towns and villages across the region.

♦ Using Harsh Laws as Weapons: Most of the people arrested have been charged under harsh laws like the Public Safety Act (PSA). These laws allow the government to jail people forever without any legal process or justice.

Repression Spreads Beyond the Valley

The Modi government’s campaign of violent repression is not just limited to the Kashmir Valley. This was proven by the brutal killing of peaceful protesters in the Ladakh region who were only asking for their proper political rights.

♦ Killing of Peaceful Protesters in Leh: On September 24, Indian forces opened fire without warning on a peaceful protest in Leh town. They martyred four civilians who were simply exercising their right to speak out.

♦ Crushing All Political Demands: The protesters in Leh were demanding political rights that have been systematically denied to them by the BJP led government. This proves that any form of dissent, peaceful or not, will be met with deadly force.

Collective Punishment as a State Policy

Using a tactic from old colonial rulers, the BJP government has increasingly used collective punishment. It has been taking over the properties of people who speak out and their families to create fear and break the will of the community.

♦ Seizing Homes and Livelihoods: The report noted that at least 30 properties, including family homes and farm lands, have been taken by the authorities during this period as a way to punish those who resist the occupation.

♦ A Strategy to Terrorise the Population: This policy is designed to punish not just individuals but entire families. It makes it clear that anyone connected with dissent will face terrible personal and economic losses.

The Reality of Life in an Open-Air Prison

Since the illegal removal of Article 370 in August 2019, life for the people of IIOJK has become impossible. The entire region has been turned into the world’s largest open air prison under a suffocating military lockdown.

♦ A Life of Constant Fear: The people live with intense watching by the state, constant search operations, and the denial of basic services. This makes a normal life completely impossible.

♦ The Imprisonment of an Entire Society: Thousands of individuals, including political and religious leaders, activists, and journalists, continue to suffer in prisons across India. This has left Kashmiri society without its leaders and at great risk.

Silencing the Witnesses in the War on Media

To hide its widespread human rights violations from the world, the Modi government has enforced a harsh media policy. This policy has effectively made honest journalism a crime and has stopped the free flow of information from the occupied territory.

♦ The Harsh 2020 Media Policy: This policy has placed severe limits on press freedom. It makes sure that only state approved stories are allowed to be published, while any real reporting is stopped.

♦ Systematic Harassment of Journalists: Journalists in IIOJK face constant harassment, arrest, and censorship. Many are targeted under anti terror laws for simply doing their job of reporting the truth.

Conclusion

This latest report from Kashmir is terrible proof of the Modi government’s campaign of state sponsored terror in IIOJK. The systematic killing of youth, mass arrests, and the brutal crushing of all dissent expose the lie of normalcy that New Delhi tells the world. Despite these great brutalities, the people of Kashmir remain firm in their demand for the right to self determination. The world cannot continue to be a silent watcher of these war crimes. It must hold the BJP government responsible for its open violations of international law and human rights, and take real steps to help find a just solution to the Kashmir dispute according to UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.