Body of Another Missing Youth Found in IIOJK, Locals Blame Indian Army for Disappearance

Tragedy deepens in Kulgam as the body of a second missing youth resurfaces, sparking anger and suspicion over forced disappearances.

In a disturbing development, the body of another missing youth has been recovered from the Kulgam district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The deceased has been identified as Showkat Ahmad, one of the three young men who mysteriously disappeared last month.

According to reports, locals in the Mah area of Kulgam discovered Showkat’s body in Veshow Nallah and promptly alerted the police. The body was later shifted to a local hospital for medico-legal procedures.

This grim recovery follows the discovery of the body of Riyaz Ahmad Bajad, Showkat’s elder brother, just three days ago in the same nallah. Both brothers, along with a third youth, Mukhtar Ahmad, went missing from the Qazigund area last month. All three hailed from Rajouri and were working as laborers in Qazigund at the time of their disappearance.

Local residents have voiced serious concerns, alleging that the Indian army detained the youths before they went missing. Villagers claim that the trio was picked up from the Qazigund area by army personnel under unclear circumstances, fueling fears of extrajudicial actions.

The recovery of two bodies has intensified anxiety among the locals, with many questioning the fate of the third missing youth, Mukhtar Ahmad, whose whereabouts remain unknown. The situation has cast a shadow over the area, amplifying calls for accountability and transparency.

Family members and civil society activists have demanded an impartial investigation into the disappearances, pointing to a worrying pattern of forced disappearances and custodial deaths in the region. They argue that such incidents further erode public trust and deepen the humanitarian crisis in IIOJK.

Observers emphasize that the discovery of these bodies highlights ongoing human rights concerns in the world’s most militarized zone. Cases of missing persons, alleged abductions, and extrajudicial killings continue to plague IIOJK, drawing criticism from international rights groups.

The tragic deaths of Showkat Ahmad and Riyaz Ahmad have added to the growing unrest in Kulgam. As the search for Mukhtar Ahmad continues, local communities and rights organizations are calling for immediate action and justice for the victims’ families.