Report: 249 deaths in Kashmir since 2021 amid allegations of abuses, conflicting official figures

Report: 249 deaths in Kashmir since 2021 amid allegations of abuses, conflicting official figures
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A human rights report has documented 249 deaths in Jammu and Kashmir between 2021 and 2025, alleging that many occurred in custody or as a result of extrajudicial killings, raising concerns about ongoing rights violations in the region.

According to the report, published by Kashmir Media Services, the figures point to a continued pattern of violence amid longstanding political tensions. The report claims that a lack of accountability and legal protections granted to security forces have contributed to difficulties in investigating alleged abuses.

However, Indian government data presented to parliament offers significantly lower figures. Officials, citing the National Human Rights Commission, reported only eight deaths in custody during the same period, highlighting a sharp discrepancy between official statistics and independent reporting.

The report also states that more than 5,000 individuals from the region, including women, are currently detained, with thousands facing charges linked to political activities. It further alleges that gaps in documentation, limited registration of complaints, and reliance on official security narratives have complicated efforts to verify incidents and ensure transparency.

The situation has prompted renewed calls from local and international groups for independent investigations and stronger safeguards to protect the rights of civilians, as political and security tensions persist in the disputed region.