New Delhi, Sep 4 (NVI) Fictitious claims of widespread civilian mass graves in Kashmir with suggestions of systematic extrajudicial killings resulting in mass anonymous burials has been busted by a thorough field research by a Valley-based NGO.
The NGO ‘Save Youth, Save Future Foundation’ examined 4056 graves across four districts of Kashmir and found out that only 9 belonged to civilians, constituting 0.2 percent of the total graves studied.
The study found 276 unmarked graves, representing approximately 6.8 percent of the total and concentrated primarily in the Baramulla district.
“The relatively small number of such graves compared to earlier claims suggests that the scale of civilian casualties buried anonymously may have been significantly overstated in previous reports,” said Anika Nazir, the lead researcher.
The data revealed a complex reality that differs substantially from earlier claims and popular narratives surrounding these burial sites, she said addressing the media here today after releasing the report.
The most striking finding was that unidentified foreign militants constituted the largest category, accounting for 2.493 graves or approximately 61.5 percent of all documented burials.
These individuals were primarily militants who had infiltrated from Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and were killed during counter-insurgency operations.
Most of these foreign militants carried no identification documents to deliberately conceal to protect their networks and maintain Pakistan’s plausible deniability regarding its involvement in Kashmir militancy, the report said.
The Pakistani government’s consistent denial of involvement and refusal to claim these individuals after their deaths created a situation where proper identification and repatriation became impossible, leading to anonymous burials in Kashmir, the report notes.
Local militants represented the second-largest category with 1.208 graves, constituting approximately 29.8 percent of the total.
These were individuals from Kashmir who had joined various militant organizations and were killed in encounters with security forces, it said.
Unlike foreign militants, many of these graves contained proper identification and were claimed by families, the report said.
Wajahat Farooq Bhat, Chairman of the Save Youth Save Future Foundation, highlighted the importance of the study, saying, “Our research is a step toward truth and transparency.”
He added, “These graves have long been enveloped in mystery and conjecture. Through empirical evidence and thorough analysis, we aspire to promote an informed dialogue that aids in achieving peace and societal stability in the Kashmir Valley.” (NVI)
