Kashmiri Journalist Hilal Mir Detained by Indian Police in Srinagar

In yet another alarming development for press freedom in IIOJK, Indian police have arrested a respected Kashmiri journalist under charges widely viewed as a crackdown on dissent.

Indian authorities have detained prominent Kashmiri journalist Hilal Mir in Srinagar, the capital of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The arrest took place during a police raid on his residence in the Bemina area of the city.

According to officials, the Counter-Intelligence unit of the Indian police charged Mir with spreading “anti-India” narratives through his journalistic work.

Authorities allege that Hilal Mir actively posted and shared content that, in their view, encouraged pro-freedom sentiments among the Kashmiri youth. Police statements claim that his work framed Kashmiris as victims of “systematic extermination” by Indian forces.

Mir, who currently writes for a Dubai-based business news outlet, has an extensive background in journalism. He has also worked with various local and Indian media organizations in the past.

A senior police official confirmed that Hilal Mir was taken into custody as a “preventive measure” and has since been lodged in Srinagar’s Central Jail.

His arrest has raised serious concerns among press freedom advocates and human rights groups, who view it as yet another attempt to silence independent journalism in the conflict-ridden region.

This incident reflects a growing trend in IIOJK, where journalists and activists have increasingly found themselves under surveillance, detained, or charged with vague accusations related to national security.

Over the past few years, the Indian government has intensified its crackdown on dissenting voices, especially those highlighting human rights abuses or advocating for Kashmiri autonomy.

Observers argue that such actions are intended to suppress narratives that counter the official Indian stance on Kashmir, particularly amid mounting international scrutiny.

Hilal Mir’s arrest is part of a broader strategy to intimidate journalists who dare to speak out about the reality on the ground. By targeting well-known professionals, authorities aim to create a chilling effect across the region’s media landscape.

Human rights organizations have consistently condemned such detentions, calling for greater press freedom and protection for journalists in conflict zones.

The international community, too, has voiced concerns over shrinking media space in IIOJK, urging the Indian government to respect democratic norms and freedom of expression.

As Mir remains behind bars, the spotlight once again falls on the shrinking room for free press in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir — a region long plagued by military control, political repression, and information blackouts.