Indian police have arrested two more Kashmiri youth from Kupwara district in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir on the allegations of espionage. According to Kashmir Media Service, the two detainees, identified as Aijaz Ahmed Butt and Bashir Ahmad Ganai, were taken into custody by  Arunachal Pradesh police along with other Indian agencies in connection with an alleged case involving the collection of sensitive information to what police claimed their handlers.

With these arrests, the total number of detainees in the case has risen to five. Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Chukhu Apa said the youth were brought from Kupwara to Arunachal Pradesh, where they remain in police custody for further questioning.

Earlier, on November 22, Arunachal Pradesh Police had arrested Nazir Ahmad Malik from rented accommodation in Ganga village, Itanagar, alleging that he collected and transmitted intelligence on Indian Army and paramilitary troop movements.

Two mobile phones seized from Malik reportedly contained incriminating material, including links to a channel named “Al AQSA.” Another individual, Hilal Ahmed Mir, 26, was taken into custody last week in Aalo town, West Siang district, in connection with the same case. 

The arrests come amid intensified raids and surveillance targeting Kashmiris across India. Rights observers, however, warn that such espionage charges are frequently used to intimidate the Kashmiri community and undermine due process, raising serious civil liberties concerns. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)