Srinagar, 12 Oct 2023:A young Kashmiri man, identified as Mudasir Ahmad Butt, was arrested in the Ushkura area of Baramulla district, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, by Indian police in conjunction with army and paramilitary personnel. A press release from Kashmir Media Service (KMS) states that Butt has been labeled a member of a mujahid organization by police, a characterization that has been used to justify his detention. This incident aligns with what has been described as a newer tactic by Indian police and troops: arresting innocent Kashmiris and subsequently identifying them as militants or members of mujahid organizations, ostensibly to subdue the Kashmiris’ fight for freedom.

Butt was apprehended at a joint check-post, though the specifics of the arrest and any preceding events remain unclear. The labeling of Butt as a member of a mujahid organization poses numerous questions regarding the criteria and evidence, if any, that are being utilized by law enforcement agencies to categorize and subsequently detain individuals under such serious allegations. This incident unfolds amidst a tense and complex backdrop of conflicts and confrontations in the region, where the dynamics between law enforcement agencies, local populace, and various organizations continue to be intricate and, often, discordant. The unfolding narratives and counter-narratives within these contexts further convolute the overall milieu and make the pursuit of transparent and verifiable information ever more pivotal.