Media Blackout and Information Warfare in IIOJK
In today’s digital world, information is not just a means of communication; it is a tool of power, influence, and control. As we see in the case of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), where the Indian state has systematically used media blackout and information warfare as instruments to maintain control and suppress dissent. Kashmir has faced one of the longest and most severe information blackouts in modern times ever since the controversial revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. Numerous human rights groups referred to this region as an “open-air prison” due to the suppression of local narratives, suspension of internet access, and silencing of journalists. The media and internet blackout in IIOJK by the Indian state is not just a security measure but a strategic information warfare tactic aimed at silencing dissent, rewriting narratives, and human rights abuses. This measure by the Indian government is to isolate the region and to ruin the voice of the Kashmiri people.
Although the international community celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) in 2023, the persistent denial of fundamental freedoms to the people of IIOJK stood in contrast to these international achievements and milestones. UNDHR continues to be a cornerstone of global human rights law, but the Kashmiri population is repeatedly denied their right to self-determination.
The people of Kashmir have faced continuous and systematic violations of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by both the UDHR and the VDPA since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. On August 5, 2019, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took illegal and unilateral measures to remove J&K’s special autonomy in compliance with Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, aimed at changing the globally recognised disputed status of IIOJK and changing its demographic structure. The government divided the state into Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. These actions are a serious violation of international law and human rights, including the false imprisonment of hundreds of people, a total communication blackout, and severe restrictions on the right to freedom of movement and peaceful assembly, while according to the Indian government, these actions were necessary to guarantee the area’s security, development, and integration with the rest of India. The journalists, activists, and members of civil society who attempt to report the situation and draw attention to the crimes committed by the Indian Forces come under serious pressure from the government of India.
According to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP), since 2019, around 18 journalists have been harassed, detained, or injured by the Indian government in the IIOJK region. The Kashmir Walla, a news site established in IIOJK that covered the Indian war for more than ten years, is one of the victims of Indian repression, which was shut down on 29 August 2023. Fahad Shah, editor of The Kashmir Walla, was first arrested on February 4, 2022, by Pulwama police under charges including sedition (Section 124A IPC), public mischief (Section 505 IPC), and unlawful activities under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). After two days of his detention, the publication’s staff was served an eviction notice by their landlord, forcing them to vacate their Srinagar office. Shah spent approximately 21 months in jail and was released on November 23, 2023, after the High Court found insufficient evidence to justify his continued detention under the UAPA. Journalism is almost ended in Kashmir due to illegal arrests of journalists like that of Shah. According to some reports by The Kashmiriyat, in the last 13 years the region has seen the highest number of internet shutdowns, due to which the region faces significant difficulties in conducting business operations smoothly, supporting remote employment, and achieving broader economic development. In 2023, the region marked 13 internet shutdowns across different areas, adding up to 435 hours of digital blackout. As a result, a huge economic loss of USD 8,598,324 occurred. The entrepreneur and e-commerce entities saw repeated losses due to these shutdowns.
India’s strategy in IIOJK goes beyond physical oppression, relying heavily on the realm of psychological and cyber warfare. By controlling narratives, suppressing dissenting voices online, and spreading fear among the population, the invasion forces aim to disrupt the mental and social fabric of Kashmiri society.
Digital surveillance is one of the key tactics used to monitor the digital footprints of journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens. Pegasus, a type of highly invasive spyware developed by Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group and used for an unprecedented crackdown by Indian authorities against the freedom of peaceful expression, raised serious concerns by creating an environment of paranoia among journalists, civil society organisations, and human rights activists. Despite repeated disclosures, there has been a shameful lack of accountability about the use of Pegasus spyware in India, which only intensifies the sense of impunity over these human rights violations. This strategy not only silences individual voices, but over time, this could lead to dismantling the idea of free thought and open dialogue in the region. This strategy may be more dangerous than physical suppression, as it undermines community trust and shared identity.
Another psychological tactic is the criminalisation of online speech, where social media users are booked under harsh laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for simply posting dissenting views. On January 19, 2024, seven journalists were jailed in India, out of which four were Kashmiri, with two charged under UAPA and two under PSA. In September 2023, an independent journalist, Majid Hyderi, was imprisoned under the PSA on charges of criminal conspiracy, extortion, and defamation. Hyderi was having moderate views, but security forces noted his frequent criticism of corruption and human rights abuses. The fear of unlawful arrest leads to widespread self-censorship, weakening the public’s ability to organise and resist through digital means.
Additionally, disinformation campaigns have been orchestrated to label Kashmiri resistance as terrorism, shifting global perception away from legitimate demands for self-determination. State-backed media outlets and social media accounts often engage in framing Kashmiris as radicalised or violent, which erodes international sympathy for their cause. Despite mounting evidence of human rights violations and repression in IIOJK, the international response has been inconsistent and often muted due to geopolitical interests and India’s economic leverage.
Organisations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have repeatedly condemned India’s use of force and legal tools to stifle dissent in Kashmir. Under international law, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Fourth Geneva Convention, India has clear obligations to protect human rights and refrain from collective punishment in occupied territories. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (1993) also affirms the right to self-determination, which India continues to deny to Kashmiris. Pakistan also raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations, highlighting the need for implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions. However, the United States and the European Union also stressed bilateral dialogue.
The situation in IIOJK is complex and troubling, marked by state-led suppression, systematic human rights violations, and information control. The Indian government systematically denied fundamental freedoms through prolonged media blackouts, digital censorship, arbitrary detentions, and psychological tactics that require international attention and actions. This modern-day information warfare in IIOJK requires independent investigations, such as the establishment of impartial enquiries into human rights abuses, legal reforms like amending UAPA laws, and independent international engagement, like the establishment of an independent international fact-finding mission under UNHRC. It is crucial to address these issues to ensure the rights and freedoms of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. And without global engagement, the region will remain trapped in a cycle of repression with severe consequences for peace and stability.
About the Author: Muhammad Jawad Majeed, intern at YFK and a student of International Relations at IIUI.
