A 16-year-old Kashmiri student, Haseeb Javed, has gone missing from a madrasa in Islamabad, raising further alarm over the abduction of residents from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) by the Pakistan Army. Haseeb hails from Naban Phalwari village in the Haveli Kahota district, and his disappearance adds to a troubling pattern of forced abductions by the Pakistan Army.
This is not an isolated incident. In 2024 alone, more than 20 Kashmiris, including well-known individuals like Raja Mudassir, have been reportedly abducted by the Pak Army. Such actions have sparked widespread protests in the region, as the people of PoJK grow increasingly disillusioned with Islamabad’s oppressive policies.
The abductions highlight the Pakistan Army’s complete disregard for the fundamental rights of PoJK residents, reinforcing the notion that they are treated as second-class citizens under the military’s control. The abduction of students, in particular, underscores the predatory tactics employed by the occupied-state to stifle dissent and maintain a stranglehold over these regions.
While the military presents itself as the guardian of the nation to the world, its actions in PoJK reveal a colonial mindset that has long been a source of resentment in the occupied regions. The targeting of Kashmiri youth—individuals like Haseeb, whose only fault is pursuing education—reflects the Army’s fear of educated voices that could challenge the Army’s narrative and demand accountability.
Protests are growing, and resentment against the military’s unchecked power is spreading beyond PoJK. These abductions could backfire, further weakening Islamabad’s grip on a region already grappling with demands for autonomy and justice.