New Delhi: Recent reports from the Indian National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and human rights groups have detailed allegations of sexual violence involving the Indian armed forces, affecting regions within India and the disputed territory of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to Kashmir Media Service, NCRB data shows that from 2017 to 2022, over 270 rape cases were registered against individuals associated with the Indian armed forces, including police officers and government employees. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have identified these incidents as major human rights concerns.

Historical cases, such as the 1991 allegations by 53 women in IIOJK who testified before the Chief Justice regarding sexual assaults by armed forces, and the reported sexual assaults of about 100 women during a search operation in Kunan and Poshpora, highlight longstanding issues of sexual violence in conflict zones. Furthermore, the military faces internal challenges, with over 1,000 female personnel reportedly experiencing sexual harassment.

The involvement of Indian peacekeepers in sexual exploitation incidents abroad, including cases in Congo and convictions in South Africa, underscores the global implications of these issues.

These findings spotlight the critical need for increased accountability and measures to address sexual violence within military and peacekeeping contexts.