Silenced by Torture: Justice For All Demands Action on Kashmir’s Latest Atrocities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Silenced by Torture: Justice For All Demands Action on Kashmir’s Latest Atrocities”

February 18, 2025

Justice For All condemns the systematic use of torture and extrajudicial killings in Kashmir, following disturbing new revelations about Operation Pangai, a military campaign conducted in December 2023. The operation, as reported by The Caravan Magazine, exposed a horrific pattern of abuse orchestrated by senior Indian military officers and aimed at collectively punishing Kashmiri civilians.

“The brutal tactics revealed in these reports are not just isolated incidents—they reflect a systemic pattern of violence used to silence the Kashmiri people’s pursuit of self-determination,” said Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, President of Justice For All. “These atrocities are a stain on the conscience of the international community, and silence only emboldens the perpetrators.”

Operation Pangai, conducted between December 21 and 22, 2023, resulted in the torture of at least 25 civilians and the extrajudicial killings of three men: Shaukat Hussain, Safeer Ahmed, and Shabeer Hussain. Witness accounts describe unimaginable brutality, including beatings, electrocution, forced drowning, and the use of chili powder to cause extreme pain. Safeer Ahmed’s body was returned to his family with his neck broken and deep gashes across his forehead, illustrating the severity of the violence.

Justice For All emphasizes that these actions violate international human rights norms, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which explicitly prohibits torture. India’s refusal to ratify the ICCPR’s torture clause has enabled these abuses to persist with impunity.

“This is not just a Kashmiri issue—it’s a human rights crisis that demands a global response,” Imam Mujahid added. “Kashmiris have endured decades of violence under the shadow of draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The world cannot continue to look away.”

Justice For All Calls for Immediate Action:

United Nations: Deploy an independent fact-finding mission to investigate the scale of torture and the role of senior military officers like Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain and Major General Maneesh Gupta.

United States Government: Apply sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to hold the perpetrators accountable.

International Community: Advocate for the repeal or substantial reform of AFSPA, which provides immunity to security forces and perpetuates a culture of unaccountability.

Furthermore, Justice For All urges global media outlets to continue covering the situation in Kashmir. The Indian government’s censorship and suppression of local reporting make international attention essential in bringing justice to the victims and their families.

“We must ensure that Kashmiris know they are not forgotten,” Imam Mujahid concluded. “Justice is not just a legal principle; it is a moral imperative.”

Media Contact:
Hena Zuberi
Hena@justiceforall.org
Justice For All
www.justiceforall.org

Sources:
Tur, Jatinder Kaur. “From Where the Orders Came.” The Caravan Magazine.
The Caravan Magazine. “Army Officers Testify.”

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Statement: CLICK HERE