The social fabric of Kashmir is fraying with each passing dawn, unraveling thread by thread. Almost every day, one opens the pages of news or tunes into the broadcast only to be greeted with tales of horror someone raped, a woman slain by her in-laws, a sister turning executioner, a friend transforming into a foe.
There was a time, not so long ago, when a single killing, be it hundreds of miles away in some distant corner of India—would shake this valley to its very core. From Sopore to Shopian, cries of “Neabri che Na Ek Nafran Moarmut Nafar”would echo: one human has slain another. The news carried the weight of thunder, striking at the collective conscience. It sent shivers down spines, as if the very soul of humanity had been pierced.
The “Peer Vaer”, this valley of saints, would then fall into a solemn silence, a collective introspection. People would whisper, “Azi che Asmaan Wazul” the skies have turned red. Red not with the hues of sunset, but with the blood of a life extinguished too soon.
Tragically, that which once horrified us when it occurred a thousand kilometers away, now unfolds in our very courtyards. The valley that once trembled at the thought of a single death has now grown numb to a plague of murders within its own embrace. In 2025, crimes in Kashmir have surged with an unsettling rhythm—rapes, murders, betrayals—stretching from Budgam to Ganderbal. Even Ganderbal, once hailed as one of the most peaceful districts of the Valley, now finds its serenity shattered under the shadows of bloodshed.
A recent survey by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals a troubling surge in crimes across Jammu and Kashmir, painting a grim picture of the valley’s social fabric. The data highlights that incidents of violence, ranging from rapes and murders to thefts and other heinous acts, have steadily increased in recent years. Districts once considered peaceful, such as Ganderbal and Budgam, have also found themselves shadowed by crime, marking a shift in the valley’s image as the “Peer Vaer,” the land of saints. Reports suggest that crimes involving family disputes, betrayal by friends, and even petty altercations escalating into brutal murders have shocked the conscience of society, with many questioning the erosion of human values. The NCRB statistics underline that these rising trends are not isolated events but part of a broader wave of criminality that has unsettled communities across Kashmir, igniting widespread concern over the rapid moral decline and deteriorating safety within the region.
The Safapora Tragedy: A Betrayal of Trust
In July 2025, the tranquil area of Safapora in Ganderbal was shaken by the brutal murder of a 28-year-old woman, a mother of two. Initially reported as a dental emergency, investigations revealed a horrifying truth. The woman’s brother-in-law, Sajad Ahmad, lured her under the pretext of seeking medical help, only to assault and murder her in an isolated field. The community’s response was swift; massive protests erupted, with locals demanding justice and a transparent investigation. The Senior Superintendent of Police assured the public of a thorough probe, leading to the arrest of the accused within a day. This incident underscored a grim reality: when even the sanctity of the home is violated, where can one seek refuge?
The Ganderbal Sister Murder: A Heart-Wrenching Tale of Fratricide
In a case that shocked even veteran investigators, police in Ganderbal arrested a 17-year-old girl for murdering her 14-year-old sister in August 2025. The younger sister, a Class-7 student, was found dead near Batsar-Sehpora road on August 17, 2025.
Initially, the elder sister fabricated a story of kidnapping, claiming that unknown individuals had abducted them both and that she had managed to escape. However, detailed investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) revealed the horrific truth. SSP Khalil Poswal explained that the sisters had gone to their field to recover their mother’s lost watch when an altercation erupted.
In a fit of rage, the elder sister struck her younger sibling with an iron rod. When the younger girl lost consciousness, the elder sister struck again, causing fatal head injuries. CCTV footage and forensic evidence, including bloodstained clothes recovered from a relative’s house and hair strands of the accused found in the deceased’s hands, confirmed the elder sister’s role .The valley gasped in disbelief: how could such a bond, stitched by womb and lineage, be turned into a weapon of death?
Kangan Tragedy: Friend Turned Into A Foe
And as if that wound wasn’t deep enough, just days ago in Kangan, Ganderbal, a friend took the life of his friend. Friendship the most sacred covenant of loyalty, often celebrated as a bond where one soul would willingly sacrifice for another reduced to ashes in Kangan, Ganderbal, where 22-year-old Ajaz Ahmed Rather was murdered by his own friends in September 2025. What initially appeared to be a drowning accident was revealed to be a premeditated murder following a heated argument during a cricket game.
Two acquaintances, Niyazul Haq and Moieen, strangled Ajaz with a wire they had purchased an act captured on CCTV footage. After ensuring he was dead, they dumped his body into a power canal to make it appear as an accidental drowning.
A local journalist, who visited the grieving family, captured the community’s anguish, “In my 12-years of journalism, never did I put my camera aside, but today I couldn’t hold back. As Aijaz’s body was carried into the tent, the cries of women, their chest-beating, their pain, it shattered me. I wept with them. Social activist Raja Parvaiz hugged me as he too cried, and beside me a police Cop’s eyes were filled with tears. Some stories are too heavy for the lens, they pierce straight into the heart .”
In such moments, I am reminded of Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s piercing verse: “Apne dushman ko abhi shak ki nigahon se na dekh, Tera qaatil tera yaar bhi hosakta hai.” (Do not look at your enemy with suspicious eyes, For even your friend may turn out to be your murderer.)
And this very couplet of poetry, unfortunately, became chillingly true in the Kangan murder case. The entire valley mourned in disbelief how could one trust anyone when even a friend, the one soul meant to stand by you, becomes a killer? Friendship is supposed to be the sanctuary of trust, the bond of loyalty, the very essence of companionship but here, it was shattered beyond repair.The valley’s collective heart broke that day. The horror of betrayal, the violence that erupted from trust, left a scar deeper than the crime itself—a silent question hanging over everyone: if not a friend, then whom can one truly trust?
The question that lingers painfully is this: are these perpetrators receiving the punishment they truly deserve? In my perception, a person capable of taking another life cannot be seen as merely a juvenile. Such an individual, regardless of age, possesses a darkness far beyond human comprehension—a maturity of malice that belies their years. He or she is no longer human; he or she is a demon, cloaked in human attire, walking unnoticed among us.
It is in moments like these that Mehjoor’s verse comes alive with bitter resonance: “Shakli chus insaan magar insaniyat Nish bekhabar”. (“Human in face, yet utterly unaware of humanity within”)
This haunting truth, reflected in poetry, mirrors the chilling reality of these crimes. When those capable of such evil roam freely or receive inadequate punishment, society itself trembles at the fragility of trust, the fragility of life, and the erosion of moral conscience.
Underlying Factors Contributing to Crime
Research identifies multiple factors contributing to this alarming trend:
- Drug Abuse has emerged as a major catalyst for criminal activities. Studies suggest that the valley has approximately 67,000 drug addicts, with 85% using heroin daily. The easy availability of drugs has created a vicious cycle of addiction and crime.
- Unemployment remains critically high, with Jammu and Kashmir registering 17.1% unemployment, ranking fourth highest in India according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). This economic distress has pushed many youth toward drugs and criminal activities
- Poverty and Social Inequality have intensified as people lose their livelihoods, creating desperation that sometimes manifests in criminal behavior. The combination of economic stress and social instability has created an environment where traditional moral constraints weaken.
The Human Face of Tragedy
The impact of these crimes extends far beyond the immediate victims. Media ethics became a significant concern in the Safapora case, where digital platforms violated privacy laws by exposing the victim’s personal details on social media. Syed Nazakat Khaleefa, President of Media Council Ganderbal, emphasized: “People often express sympathy by sharing images of the victim, without realizing that they may actually be contributing to the crime itself”.
The cases also highlight the psychological trauma experienced by first responders and community members. Police officers, journalists, and social activists found themselves emotionally overwhelmed by the brutality of these crimes, reflecting the broader impact on Kashmir’s collective psyche.
Inadequate Justice and Societal Response
A critical question emerges regarding whether perpetrators receive adequate punishment. The concern is particularly acute when dealing with juvenile offenders. NCRB data shows juveniles in conflict with the law in Jammu and Kashmir increased from 171 in 2020 to 361 in 2022, contrary to the declining national trend. The paradox of Individuals capable of taking human life being treated as juveniles raises profound questions about justice and deterrence.
A Society at a Crossroads
Kashmir stands at a critical juncture where the choice between moral renewal and continued decay will define its future. The valley that once embodied “Kashmiriyat” a unique blend of tolerance, compassion, and spiritual wisdom—must rediscover these values to heal its fractured social fabric.
The three tragic cases chronicled here represent not just individual crimes but symptoms of a deeper malaise affecting Kashmiri society. The betrayal of trust, the breakdown of family bonds, and the erosion of friendship all point to a community struggling with rapid social change, economic pressure, and the loss of traditional moral anchors.
Yet, within this darkness lies the possibility of renewal. The swift police action in solving these cases demonstrates institutional capability. The community outrage and demand for justice shows that moral consciousness, while wounded, remains alive. The media’s self-reflection on ethical responsibilities suggests potential for positive change.
Kashmir’s journey from being a land where distant violence caused collective mourning to one where local brutality risks becoming normalized is a story of profound social transformation. Whether this transformation continues toward further moral decay or pivots toward healing and renewal depends on the collective will of Kashmiri society to reclaim its ethical foundations and rebuild the bonds of trust that once made it truly “Jannat-e-Benazir” (paradise on earth).
The author is Pursuing M.Sc in Zoology. He can be mailed at ehsaanamy133@gmail.com
