JAMMU: A Pakistani prisoner died in Kot Bhalwal Jail in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir after authorities allegedly failed to provide him with essential medical treatment, raising renewed concerns over the treatment of detainees.
Muhammad Rafiq Umar, a resident of Sialkot, had been held at the Jammu jail for several years and was reportedly suffering from a serious illness. According to sources, his condition worsened over time, but he was not shifted to a hospital or given adequate medical attention. He died late on Tuesday night.
Rafiq had been arrested by Indian forces after accidentally crossing the Working Boundary into the occupied territory. Family members and rights activists say prolonged neglect, lack of treatment and poor detention conditions contributed to his declining health.
Rights groups have long alleged that prisoners in Indian and IIOJK jails, including Kashmiri political leaders, activists and detainees from Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, are routinely denied basic facilities. Complaints include inadequate healthcare, poor sanitation and substandard food, often resulting in serious medical complications.
Several high-profile Kashmiri detainees, including Hurriyat leaders Mohammad Ashraf Sahrai, Altaf Ahmed Shah and Ghulam Mohammad Butt, have previously died in custody, with families and advocates blaming delayed or denied medical care.
The latest death is likely to intensify scrutiny of prison conditions in IIOJK and India, amid persistent allegations of rights violations against detainees held under security-related charges.
