ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – April 4, 2026) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed grave concern over what he described as systematic killings of innocent youth in fake encounters and mass arrests under repressive laws in the Islamic state of Jammu and Kashmir, and demanded an immediate stop to the mass arrests.
Accountability.
According to the Kashmir Media Service, while addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq drew attention to the shocking killing of Kashmiri youth Rashid Ahmad Mughal in an organized encounter in Arhama area of Ganderbal district.
He described the incident as very sad and extremely worrying.
Mirwaiz pointed out that the family of the young martyr stated that he was working part-time in the computer field and had no connection to extremism, but he was forcibly taken and killed in cold blood.
He affirmed the victim’s innocence and condemned the arbitrary targeting of civilians.
He added that the bereaved family demands justice through an impartial investigation, but expressed its skepticism, saying: “We can only hope that justice will be achieved, even though past experiences do not inspire confidence,” highlighting the bitter reality that the perpetrators of such crimes are rarely held accountable.
Al-Marwaiz also criticized depriving the family of the body for burial, describing it as “inhumane and condemnable.”
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He further said that repeated cases, indictments and arrests involving Kashmiris by multiple agencies, including NIA, SIA, CIK and Cyber Cell, contribute to creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
He also referred to the dismissal of government employees, noting that such actions, without recourse to the judiciary, increase public fears.
“This creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation and reinforces a narrative that portrays an entire people as dangerous and suspicious,” he added, adding that such actions cannot lead to sustainable peace or progress in the occupied territories.
Mirwaiz also said that he was addressing the congregation at Jamia Mosque after a long period, as access to the central place of worship for Kashmiri Muslims has been repeatedly restricted at the will of the authorities. He pointed out that even during Eid prayers and on many Fridays Ramadanincluding the Holy Night of Destiny and Friday of Life, were rejected, describing them as a serious violation of religious rights.
“Such repeated restrictions are not just about closing a mosque, they speak to the larger reality, where normalcy is being declared while people’s basic rights are being curtailed through bans, bars and censorship. Unfortunately, the harassment of Kashmiris continues,” Mirwaiz said.