The National Human Rights Commission Seeks Report from J&K Police on Alleged ‘Targeted’ Killings of Hindus in the State.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | New Delhi | March 26, 2026:: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint alleging repeated “targeted” killings of Hindu civilians and other vulnerable communities in Jammu and Kashmir, directing the Union Territory’s police to submit a detailed report within two weeks.

A Bench presided over by NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP), asking for an enquiry into the allegations and the submission of an Action Taken Report (ATR) within a stipulated timeframe.

The development comes amid renewed concerns over selective killings in the Union Territory, particularly in the Jammu region. The complaint, filed by senior advocate of Supreme Court of India, Vineet Jindal, also President of the Anti-Terrorism Global Front (ATGF), flagged what it described as a recurring pattern of violence coupled with a lack of transparency in investigations and prosecutions.

Citing past incidents, the complainant referred to the Nadimarg massacre, in which 24 Kashmiri Pandits were killed, and the Wandhama massacre that claimed 23 lives. The complaint also highlighted attacks on pilgrims of the Amarnath Yatra, including major incidents in 2000 and 2017 that resulted in multiple casualties.

According to the complaint, several such cases remain unresolved, with limited public information on investigation status, arrests, or prosecutions. This, it alleged, amounts to a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, including the right to life, equality before law, and freedom of religion.

Seeking the NHRC’s intervention, the complainant urged the Commission to call for detailed, case-wise reports on FIRs, arrests, and prosecutions, alongside steps for prevention, enhanced security for vulnerable communities, and compensation and rehabilitation for victims’ families.

Taking note of these submissions, the NHRC directed the Jammu and Kashmir Police to examine the allegations comprehensively and furnish a detailed report within two weeks. The Commission also instructed that all communications and relevant records, including investigation details and supporting documents, be submitted through its HRCNet portal.

The matter is expected to be reviewed further upon receipt of the police report, which could shape subsequent recommendations or actions by the Commission.

However, critics argue that while the National Human Rights Commission has initiated action in relation to recent targeted killings, it has not comprehensively addressed the broader historical context of Jihadi violence against Kashmiri Hindus. This includes the mass displacement during the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, when tens of thousands of Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee the Valley amid rising Islamic militancy and targeted attacks. Estimates vary, with government data recording 219 Pandit fatalities between 1989 and 2004, while community groups claim higher figures exceeding 1,000 deaths, alongside widespread destruction of homes and religious sites. The issue has also been depicted in popular culture, notably in the film The Kashmir Files by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, which brought renewed public attention to the events, though interpretations of the period remain a subject of ongoing debate.