Kashmir Killings: Families Wait for Justice and Closure Amidst Conflict
For families in Kashmir, the wait for justice is often filled with agony and unending questions. In a region where political and military tensions have shaped the lives of generations, the tragic case of Altaf Bhat and Mudasir Gul, two civilians allegedly used as “human shields” by security forces, underscores the severe human cost of the ongoing conflict. As their families awaited the return of their bodies on a chilly November night, they prepared to bury their loved ones a second time—each burial a grim reminder of the painful reality in Kashmir.
Bhat and Gul were buried once by the authorities following a reported encounter with militants in Srinagar, a city that has seen some of the region’s most intense clashes. According to security forces, Gul was associated with militants, while Bhat was caught in the crossfire. Their families, however, asserted that both men were innocent victims of a conflict that has turned countless civilians into mere numbers. Only after public outcry and protests did authorities agree to a rare move: exhuming the bodies and returning them to their families for proper burial. This gesture, however, offered little solace to the grieving families, who remained haunted by questions of justice and accountability.
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For Bhat’s elder brother, Abdul Majeed Bhat, the act of exhuming the bodies did not ease his pain. “Nobody has got justice in the last 30 years. How can we expect it?” he lamented, reflecting a sentiment shared by numerous Kashmiri families who have waited for answers, often in vain. The sorrowful echo of his words highlights the frustration felt by those who continue to seek justice, only to be met with silence or delay.
Conflict and Human Rights Violations in One of the World’s Most Militarized Zones
Kashmir, one of the world’s most militarized zones, is claimed by both India and Pakistan but remains divided under each country’s control. The Indian-administered region has endured a violent insurgency for over three decades, which has cost thousands of lives and brought numerous allegations of human rights abuses. Security forces in Kashmir have been repeatedly accused of staging encounters to eliminate individuals under the guise of anti-terrorism operations. Families often allege that civilians are labeled as militants, especially in incidents where security forces are involved in extrajudicial killings. Kuldeep Khoda, a former Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief, defended the actions of security forces, stating that families often accuse the forces of staging encounters without substantial evidence, which he argued diminishes the credibility of security forces’ work.
Activists, however, argue that these cases are often shrouded in secrecy, with families facing numerous obstacles in accessing information. For instance, in 2017, activist Muhammad Ahsan Untoo filed a petition with Kashmir’s Human Rights Commission, requesting records of all investigations into extrajudicial killings since 1989. The response revealed a disturbing statistic: out of the 506 inquiries ordered between 1989 and 2018, only one was completed. This statistic underscores the challenges families face when seeking accountability and highlights the limited success of human rights inquiries in Kashmir.
The Situation Intensifies Post-2019
In August 2019, the Indian government revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, dividing it into two federally administered territories. Since this change, allegations of human rights abuses have increased, with Human Rights Watch noting that security forces have been implicated in routine harassment, arbitrary detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings while enforcing restrictions on movement. According to reports from the organization, these allegations have only intensified, with families and activists asserting that the government’s stance has limited the space for accountability.
The 2020 Shopian Case: A Story of Alleged Extrajudicial Killings
One of the most high-profile cases of alleged extrajudicial killings in Kashmir unfolded in 2020, when the Indian army announced that it had killed three “hardcore terrorists” in a gunfight in the Shopian district. Authorities buried the bodies secretly in distant locations, a practice introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued thereafter, citing concerns over potential unrest at public funerals. However, social media changed the course of this story when photos of the three men surfaced, reaching their families who identified them as missing laborers.
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Public outcry followed, forcing the army to launch an inquiry. The investigation found that the personnel involved had exceeded their authority under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), a controversial law granting broad powers to security personnel, including the authority to detain individuals without warrants and, in certain situations, use lethal force. Following this inquiry, a police complaint charged one army officer and two civilians with abduction and murder. However, the prosecution of the officer remains opaque, as he is being tried in a military court, beyond civilian oversight and media access.
The AFSPA law has been widely criticized by human rights organizations, who argue that its provisions enable security forces to act with impunity. Calls to repeal or reform the law have grown louder, as activists argue that its broad powers facilitate abuses in regions such as Kashmir. Despite these criticisms, Indian authorities defend the law as a necessary tool for maintaining order in volatile areas.
An Endless Wait for Justice
The pain and frustration of families like those of Altaf Bhat and Mudasir Gul illustrate the complex and deeply entrenched struggles in Kashmir. For these families, burying their loved ones a second time symbolizes not just their grief but the broader issue of justice delayed or denied. While the decision to exhume the bodies in response to public protests was a positive step, it has done little to alleviate the families’ pain or restore their confidence in the justice system.
Many Kashmiris have little faith that they will ever see justice. The promise of investigations, though well-intentioned, does not inspire much hope, as similar assurances have often led to inconclusive results. The journey to accountability in Kashmir is a long and winding road, with numerous obstacles that prevent families from finding closure. Even when inquiries are launched, as seen in the Shopian case, the outcomes are often hidden from public view, further eroding trust between the community and the state.
A Call for Change and Accountability
In a region as complex and heavily militarized as Kashmir, the stories of families who have lost loved ones serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for transparency, oversight, and accountability. The challenges faced by these families are not isolated incidents; they reflect a broader pattern of grief, frustration, and unanswered questions that have left deep scars on the community. As security concerns and political interests continue to dominate discussions on Kashmir, the voices of grieving families must not be overlooked.
The fight for justice is not merely about individual cases—it is about acknowledging the humanity and dignity of those caught in the crossfire of a conflict that seems unending. Without meaningful reforms, accountability, and a commitment to address the needs of families affected by these tragedies, the cycle of violence, mistrust, and despair in Kashmir may continue. For the families of Altaf Bhat, Mudasir Gul, and countless others, justice remains elusive, yet their stories keep the hope of change alive in a region that has seen too much loss.