Crackdowns in IIOJK: Civilians Face Injustice Amid Violent Series of Raids

The valleys of IIOJK are echoing with fear, not from natural disasters or conflict zones, but from the relentless house raids carried out by Indian forces under controversial laws.

Indian forces continue to conduct aggressive house raids across Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), particularly in Srinagar and other areas of the Kashmir Valley. These operations, carried out under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), have triggered fear and unrest among the civilian population.

During these search operations, heavily armed personnel storm residential areas, forcibly entering homes without warning. Reports reveal that residents, including women and children, are often harassed and tortured. Youth are arrested arbitrarily, without any clear reason or legal procedure.

Families caught in these raids report severe distress. Soldiers reportedly seize critical personal items such as land deeds, bank documents, mobile phones, laptops, and other electronic devices. These sudden seizures not only invade privacy but leave families economically and emotionally shattered.

Beyond detentions and seizures, the raids often involve deliberate destruction of property. Household items, furniture, and appliances are vandalized. Witnesses claim that the troops loot valuables, including gold jewelry and cash, intensifying the psychological and financial toll on innocent families.

These brutal actions appear to serve a larger agenda — to instill fear, crush resistance, and disrupt daily life. Observers argue that the use of the UAPA in these operations criminalizes ordinary Kashmiris and aims to silence any form of dissent.

Among the many affected in Srinagar are Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Waseem Tariq Matta, Anjum Younis, Bilal Ahmad Lone, Faizyab Showkat Dewani, Bilal Lone, Manzoor Tola, Mohammad Ayoub Dar, Mushtaq Ahmad Bachoon, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, and Firdous Ahmad Dar. Their homes were raided, and their lives turned upside down by the actions of the forces.

Human rights activists continue to raise concerns over these recurring violations. They call for an immediate end to the unlawful practices and demand accountability for the trauma inflicted on the civilian population. Yet, the silence from the central administration and lack of international intervention has allowed these operations to persist unchecked.

The ongoing repression in IIOJK has become a glaring human rights issue. While the government justifies these operations under national security laws, the ground reality tells a different story — one of fear, harassment, and a deeply scarred civilian population.