The number of missing persons in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has sharply increased, raising serious concerns over the human rights situation in the region.
According to credible sources, a total of 7,141 cases of missing persons were reported in 2023. Of these, 2,961 individuals were later found or recovered, leaving 4,190 still unaccounted for by the end of the year.
Experts note that the number of missing persons has been steadily climbing over the past four years. At the end of 2020, there were 3,813 unresolved cases, a figure that has now risen to 4,190 by the close of 2023.
“These figures highlight a disturbing trend and underline the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the region,” said human rights analysts.
Human rights activists have called for immediate action, stating that families of the missing continue to await justice and a comprehensive, transparent investigation.
The situation has drawn international attention, with experts urging global human rights bodies to monitor developments closely and advocate for the rights of those affected.
Last year, in 2025 Pakistan Foreign Office had expressed deep concern over a United Nations report highlighting systematic human rights violations in IIOJK.
According to the report, UN experts had raised concerns about serious human rights violations in IIOJK. The statement highlights the serious and systematic human rights violations faced by the Kashmiri people under Indian occupation.
It further expressed deep concern over the UN experts’ observations that India’s actions have resulted in the detention of nearly 2,800 people, including journalists, students, and human rights activists.
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