Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian army organized a recruitment drive aimed at luring unemployed Kashmiri youth, a move analysts view as exploiting the dire economic conditions imposed by years of military occupation.

According to Kashmir Media Service, some youth, compelled by the economic hardships imposed by the prolonged siege of the territory, arrived at the recruitment center in Baramulla district. However, Indian Army personnel reportedly behaved rudely, with some making derogatory remarks against the Kashmiri people. This conduct sparked protests among the youth, further escalating tensions at the scene.

In response, Indian troops resorted to baton charges, ostensibly to suppress dissent while also attempting to create a spectacle for media consumption—one that falsely portrayed a massive turnout. Observers argue that this tactic was designed to mislead the public and reinforce the narrative of Kashmir’s so-called integration.

Analysts condemned the Indian army’s approach, highlighting the systematic economic deprivation and educational barriers imposed on Kashmiri youth since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. They asserted that such events are propaganda tools aimed at distorting the reality of the Kashmiri resistance, which remains resolute in its struggle for self-determination.