Unrelenting State Terrorism: The Toll on Kashmiris Since 2019 in IIOJK

Since the controversial revocation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, over 991 Kashmiris have been martyred, as Indian forces continue their oppressive tactics in the region.

Since August 5, 2019, when the Indian government, led by the Hindutva-inspired Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, more than 991 Kashmiris have lost their lives due to the continuous acts of state terrorism. Indian military personnel, including the Army, Rashtriya Rifles, Border Security Force, and various paramilitary forces, have been involved in these killings, which include the martyrdom of 20 women.

The relentless actions of Indian forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have triggered widespread condemnation. Senior leaders from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), such as Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai and Altaf Ahmed, have died under custodial conditions, while prominent Hurriyat figure Syed Ali Gilani passed away after spending more than a decade under house arrest.

The situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has drastically worsened since the BJP’s controversial decision to revoke Article 370, which granted special status to the region. This move, widely criticized by the global community, has pushed IIOJK into a state of extreme militarization, rendering it one of the most heavily armed zones in the world. In this atmosphere of constant suppression, calls for development and peace have been overshadowed by growing concerns over the lack of basic human rights.

The region’s residents, while not opposed to peace and development, are adamant that their foremost priority is the restoration of their autonomy. They seek a plebiscite under United Nations (UN) supervision, which would allow them to decide their future without foreign interference. The region’s struggle, according to APHC, is not about development but about achieving freedom from what they describe as Indian colonialism.

Critics argue that the BJP’s actions since August 5, 2019, have hindered any possibility of peace or progress. Instead of bringing prosperity, the region has been plunged into a political and humanitarian crisis. The move to alter the region’s status has been described as a major setback to any hope for peace, as it deepens the military presence and further stifles political freedom.

The people of Kashmir continue to stand firm in their desire for self-determination, seeking a future where they are free from oppression. Despite the overwhelming presence of Indian forces and ongoing violence, the Kashmiri people remain resolute in their struggle for a plebiscite, which they believe will allow them to peacefully chart their own course.