SRINAGAR: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a Kashmiri Pandit activist has made a shocking revelation, exposing how fake encounters have long been used by Indian forces to gain promotions, rewards, and political favour.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the activist, Dr Sandeep Mawa, in a video message in Srinagar said that while reviewing official files, he came across a large number of cases revealing how innocent Kashmiri youth were deliberately killed in staged encounters and falsely branded as militants. “I found several such cases while going through the files. Many of these encounters were completely fabricated,” he said.
He disclosed that in one such case, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) as part of the Indian government’s out-of-turn promotion policy for those claiming to have eliminated so-called terrorists.
“The said ASI orchestrated numerous staged encounters and was rewarded with a DIG promotion because of that policy,” Dr Mawa said.
The activist stressed that these fake encounters were driven by greed for promotions and medals, not by any legitimate security concerns. “I personally know some of those officers involved in these staged operations,” he added.
Dr Mawa called for an independent, impartial international investigation into all such cases to ensure justice for the victims and their families. “Those responsible must face strict legal consequences,” he said.
Human rights organisations have described revelations as just the tip of the iceberg, noting that the fake encounters staged by Indian occupation forces far exceed those carried out by the police. However, Dr Sandeep deliberately refrained from mentioning the massacres as well as fake encounters carried out by Indian army.
They said India has adopted this as a systematic policy in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The organisations urged global human rights bodies and the United Nations to hold India accountable for its continued human rights violations in the territory.
National Conference (NC) leader and Lok Sabha Member Ruhullah Mehdi has said that the Omar Abdullah-led government in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has “failed on the political front” as it nears completion of one year in office.
According to Kashmir Media Service, talking to reporters in Srinagar, Ruhullah said that the government, which assumed office in October last year, has shown no political intent to address the core concerns of the people.
“The government is about to complete a year in office. Whatever was needed to be done on the political front has not happened. There was a need to show intent, but I personally feel that has not been shown till now,” he remarked.
He said the administration must reconnect with the public and work to earn their trust. “If people are satisfied, I am satisfied. If people ask questions, those should be heard seriously. They should ponder where the lacunae are,” Ruhullah said.
