22-Year-Old Kashmiri Student Lost Life in Mysterious Attack in Poonch, IIOJK

A wave of fear grips the Poonch district in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir as another young Kashmiri is found dead under suspicious and violent circumstances.

In a deeply disturbing incident, a 22-year-old student lost his lif after being attacked by unidentified individuals in the Dhrana area of Mendhar, located in the Poonch district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to officials, the victim, Israr Ali—a final-year student at Government Degree College Mendhar—was assaulted with a sharp object outside his rented accommodation. He was rushed to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Mendhar in a critical condition, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The deceased hailed from Kotan Mendhar and was the son of Mohammad Saleem. His untimely and violent death has sent shockwaves through the local community and the college campus, where students and faculty are still trying to process the loss.

Police officials confirmed they have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated a manhunt to track down those responsible for the attack. However, no arrests have been made so far, and the motive behind the brutal killing remains unclear.

This incident has intensified fears among the people of Poonch, especially in light of recent events. Several Kashmiri youth have reportedly gone missing after being picked up by Indian forces, only to later be found dead in nullahs (drainage channels) in the districts of Poonch and Rajouri. These recurring incidents have raised serious concerns over the safety and security of young Kashmiris in the region.

The growing number of such cases has led to suspicions of targeted violence or enforced disappearances. While authorities often claim to be investigating these cases, justice remains elusive for the victims and their families.

Locals in Mendhar are now calling for an impartial and transparent investigation into Israr Ali’s death. Many believe that only a credible inquiry can bring the facts to light and help curb the cycle of violence and fear that has engulfed the region.

The loss of a young student—whose only crime may have been pursuing an education—serves as a grim reminder of the volatile and unsafe conditions in which many Kashmiris live under Indian occupation.