Indian forces arrest several youth, harass residents during CASOs in IIOJK
Srinagar: Indian forces’ personnel have launched cordon and search operations in different areas of Kupwara and Bandipora districts, arresting several innocent youth and spreading fear among residents.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the operations are ongoing in the Wajhama, Alachizab (Awoora) and the Gulgam forest area in Kupwara. Indian authorities claimed the operations followed “specific intelligence inputs”.
During the search in Wajhama, three youth were arrested. In a familiar pattern, a senior Indian police officer labeled the youth as so-called Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of a mujahid organization. He claimed that the trio has been taken into custody for further investigations.
India’s 160 Territorial Army, 41 Rashtirya Rifles and Special Operations Group of police are involved in the operations in in Awoora and Gulgam. Occupation authorities further claimed to have recovered arms and ammunition in these areas.
Kashmir watchers argue that such allegations are routinely used by the occupation authorities to detain Kashmiris without due process, terrorize the local population and suppress dissent. They also note that the authorities often invoke Pakistan’s name as a deliberate ploy to malign the indigenous Kashmir freedom movement, vilify Islamabad, deflect attention from Indian government’s failures and mask its repressive policies in the occupied territory.
Meanwhile, Indian police arrested several youths during search operations and house raids in the Shadipora Sumbal area of Bandipora district.
