SUMMARY
In March 2026, Indian authorities continued to commit grave violations in Indian-administered Kashmir (IAK). Indian forces killed at least three people and injured at least eight. Indian authorities suppressed protests against attacks on Iran, detaining over 100 people and throttling communication services. Indian authorities continued their ongoing systematic campaigns of mass detention and collective punishment through raids, cordon-andsearch operations (CASOs) and property expropriation. Indian authorities sentenced pro-self-determination activists Asiya Andrabi (life sentence), Sofi Fahmida and Nahida Nasreen (each, 30 years) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their pro-rights speech. Indian authorities forcibly closed Jamia Masjid, Srinagar and prevented Eid prayers for the seventh consecutive year.
Numerous Kashmiri journalists, human rights defenders, activists, and dissenters continue to be arbitrarily detained. Emblematic cases include those of human rights defender Khurram Parvez—illegally imprisoned for almost four and a half years (1,613 days), journalist Irfan Mehraj—illegally imprisoned for over three years (1,129 days), human rights lawyer Mian Abdul Qayoom—illegally imprisoned for almost two years (667 days) and scholar Shafat Wani—illegally imprisoned for over a year (378 days). On March 19, 2026 (the third anniversary of his detention), several human rights organizations called for the release of Irfan Mehraj.
Note: Due to ongoing repression by Indian authorities, key developments in the human rights situation in IAK have gone unreported. Indian authorities have criminalized independent journalism and human rights work; all reporting from IAK is state-controlled. Indian authorities label pro-human rights and pro-self-determination activity “terrorism” and systematically legitimate violations against people in IAK through unsubstantiated, demonizing labels, including: “terrorist,” “militant,” “secessionist,” “militant,” “overground worker,” “hybrid militant,” “hybrid terrorist,” “terrorist associate,” “militant associate,” “intruder,” and “infiltrator.”
KILLINGS AND EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE
On March 3, 2026, Indian forces injured at least eight people during demonstrations protesting attacks on Iran.
On March 10, 2026, Indian forces killed a person in Jhangar, Nowshera, Rajouri district and labelled him a “terrorist.”
On March 15, 2026, Indian forces killed a person in Buchhar, Uri, Baramulla district and labelled him a “militant.”
On March 31, 2026, Indian forces killed Rashid Ahmad Mughal of Chountwaliwara, Ganderbal in a fake encounter and labelled him a “terrorist.”
VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
From March 1 to March 9, 2026, Indian authorities escalated movement restrictions, throttled mobile internet, suspended mobile connectivity and shut down educational institutions across Kashmir.
On March 4, 2026, Indian authorities registered criminal cases against Indian-client politicians Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Junaid Azim Mattu for their online expression critical of Indian policy regarding Iran.
On March 4, 2026, Indian authorities registered a criminal case against Javid Ahmad Khanday of Sazan Keegam, Shopian for sharing videos on social media.
ARBITRARY DETENTIONS AND RAIDS
On March 7, 2026, following protests against attacks on Iran, Indian authorities arrested at least fifty people, started criminal proceedings against at least seven people (including under the UAPA), and identified over 200 additional protesters using AI-enabled facial recognition drones.
On March 9, 2026, Indian authorities detained at least 17 Kashmiri students at Mewar University in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan over a protest against the university’s failure to achieve accreditation.
On March 12, 2026, the Supreme Court of India granted bail to pro-self-determination political activist Shabir Shah, detained since June 2019, subject to onerous conditions, including a prohibition on visiting Kashmir.
On March 20, 2026, a Delhi court acquitted Jamsheed Zahoor Paul and Parvaiz Rashid Lone, residents of Shopian, after seven years of detention under the UAPA.
On March 23, 2026, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided at least twelve locations across Kashmir.
On March 25, 2026, an NIA court sentenced Kashmiri pro-self-determination leader Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment, and her associates Sofi Fahmida and Nahida Nasreen to thirty years of imprisonment, under the UAPA for their pro-rights political expression. Through extreme sentencing, the court sought to send a message to others with similar ideas regarding Kashmiri rights. Asiya Andrabi’s son published “My Mother Asiya Andrabi Was Punished for Refusing to Accept India’s Rule over Kashmiris” and a video calling for remembrance in the face of erasure. In addition, the Worldwide Lawyers Association published “India’s Political Trials in Kashmir and the Asiya Andrabi Verdict” and Middle East Eye published “Aasiya Andrabi: How India’s Terror Laws Turned Dissent into Life Sentences.”
On March 26, 2026, the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) raided at least ten locations across Kashmir and arrested Irfan Ahmad Wani of Heerpura, Shopian, a Muslim religious leader.
On March 30, 2026, Delhi Police arrested Shabbir Ahmad Lone of Kangan, Ganderbal in Gazipur, Delhi and labelled him a “terrorist associate.”
On March 31, 2026, India’s Supreme Court acknowledged prolonged delays in criminal trials in Jammu and Kashmir, noting that 351 sessions cases had been pending for more than five years.
TAKING AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY; ECONOMIC DISEMPOWERMENT
On March 26, 2026, Indian authorities expropriated the real property of Khurshid Ahmad Dar in Fidarpora, Sopore, Baramulla.
On March 28, 2026, Indian authorities expropriated the real property of Mohd. Qasim of Reasi district.
On March 28, 2026, official Indian data disclosed that 77,099 public sector jobs remain unfilled while high unemployment continues in IAK.
POLITICAL DISEMPOWERMENT, VIOLATION OF POLITICAL RIGHTS, AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE
On March 10, 2026, Indian authorities announced the completion of 4,128 out of 6,000 planned accommodations for pro-BJP Hindu migrants in IAK.
COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT
From March 1 to March 6, 2026, Indian authorities imposed five days of escalated movement restrictions across Kashmir, with an increase in street-level militarization and additional barricades and checkpoints.
On March 10, 2026, the Indian authorities terminated the employment of Liyaqat Ali Bhagwan and Kousar Hussain Bhagwan of Kishtwar and Showkat Ahmad Zargar of Anantnag for alleged “anti-national activities.”
On March 10-11, 2026, Indian authorities imposed a curfew in Mirgund and Singhpora, Baramulla district.
On March 11, 2026, Indian forces imposed a CASO in Ranar, Bandipora district.
On March 13, 2026, Indian forces imposed CASOs in Kandral, Abtal and Bahadurpur, Samba district .
On March 18, 2026, Indian forces imposed CASOs across Rajouri, Doda, and Poonch districts.
On March 31, 2026, Indian forces imposed a CASO in Ganderbal district.
VIOLATIONS OF RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
On March 6, March 13 and March 21, 2026, Indian authorities forcibly closed Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, including for major congregational prayers and Eid prayers (for the seventh consecutive year). Indian authorities also placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest.
ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS
Indian authorities continued to facilitate environmental devastation through mining operations in IAK, destroying fertile agricultural land, livelihoods and ways of life across Pulwama and Budgam districts.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND REPORTS
On March 23, 2026, Ahmed Mir and Sarthak Parashar published “Bunkers in a Border Village” which describes the precarity of life in villages near the Line of Control, constantly subject to bombing and surveillance.
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Published April 23, 2026
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