Kashmiri Journalist Charged for Criticizing Military’s Snow-Clearing Claims in Kashmir

MUZAFFARABAD, PaJK: Authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have filed a criminal case against a prominent journalist, accusing him of defaming the military after he challenged the army’s public relations wing for allegedly taking credit for civilian work during recent snowfall in the region.

The case against Usman Tarig Chughtai, president of the Neelum Press Club, was registered on March 4, 2025, at Athmuqam Police Station under several stringent laws, including defamation, cybercrime, and anti-state provisions. The charges stem from a March 3 Facebook post in which Chughtai criticized the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) – the military’s media wing – for sharing a video that portrayed snow-clearing operations in Neelum Valley as an army-led effort.

In his post, Chughtai accused ISPR of misrepresenting machinery and labor belonging to the civilian Public Works Department (PWD) as military assets. He wrote, “They say we write against them. Blind in arrogance, they don’t realize their own folly. ISPR’s official page uploaded a video of snow-clearing machinery in Neelum Valley, deliberately or ignorantly misrepresenting civilian PWD equipment as military assets. I strongly condemn this attempt by the ‘number one’ army and ‘number one’ ISPR to overshadow the hard work of civilian institutions. Take credit, but only for what you’ve actually done.”

The FIR alleges that Chughtai’s post was intended to provoke hatred between the public and the Pakistan Army, accusing him of spreading “false information and malicious propaganda.” The case has been registered under Sections 500, 501, 504, and 505 (pertaining to defamation and incitement), Sections 489-Y and 489-P (cybercrime laws), and Section 31 of the Telegraph Act (related to electronic communication offenses).

The controversy began earlier this year when ISPR started sharing updates on snow-clearing operations in Neelum and Haveli districts, framing them as military-led initiatives. However, local residents and social media users disputed these claims, sharing videos that showed PWD workers clearing roads while soldiers filmed them. Despite widespread skepticism, no government department or media outlet officially confirmed or denied the discrepancies.

Chughtai’s case is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where criticism of the military has increasingly been met with legal action. In recent weeks, several activists and political figures have been arrested on similar charges. Sadaqat Mughal, a nationalist leader, was detained in Neelum for allegedly defaming the army. Muqtada Banday, a student activist, was held for 15 days in February in Muzaffarabad. Raja Ghulam Mustafa was booked for sedition in Rawalakot on March 29 over an “anti-army speech,” and on April 1, student leader Arslan Shani was arrested in Hajira under comparable allegations.

Chughtai, who has also shared videos of locals questioning ISPR’s claims, now faces a legal battle amid growing concerns over press freedom and free speech in the region. International human rights organizations have repeatedly warned about shrinking space for dissent in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where even factual criticism of state institutions can lead to arrests.

The case has drawn attention to the military’s expanding role in civilian affairs and its aggressive public relations strategies, which often overshadow local governance efforts. As legal proceedings begin, journalists and activists fear that the crackdown on social media criticism will intensify, further silencing independent voices in the region.

Reported by Haris Qadeer
(This report is based on official documents, eyewitness accounts, and verified social media evidence.)