Eight Kashmiri Youth Arrested for Sharing Pro-Freedom Content on Social Media

Authorities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue their clampdown on digital expression, arresting Kashmiri youth for voicing pro-freedom views online.

Indian police have detained eight Kashmiri youth in Srinagar district, accusing them of using social media platforms to promote pro-freedom sentiments. This move marks yet another instance of digital repression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to police reports, the arrested individuals allegedly shared content on social media that highlighted and supported pro-freedom activities. Such accusations are frequently used by Indian authorities to justify strict crackdowns and curtail dissent in the region.

The arrested youth were identified as Zuhaib Zahoor, Abrar Mushtaq, Farhad Rasool—all residents of Srinagar—and Sajad Ahmad Lone from Kulgam district. In addition to these four, the police detained four more juveniles whose identities have not been disclosed.

Critics and human rights advocates argue that these arrests reflect a systematic strategy by Indian forces to suppress Kashmiri voices, especially those who challenge the official narratives. Social media users in IIOJK often face harassment, surveillance, and legal action for expressing opinions that question the legitimacy of India’s occupation.

Observers point out that the crackdown on social media users aims to control the flow of information and silence any support for the freedom movement in IIOJK. The arrests have further fueled concerns over the shrinking space for freedom of speech and digital rights in the region.

Such actions have been condemned by various rights organizations, who view them as part of a larger campaign to stifle dissent and censor any narrative that contradicts the Indian state’s version of events in IIOJK.