Three Kashmiris based in US, Germany booked for ‘weaponizing’ social media; Srinagar court orders appearance

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have booked three Kashmir-based individuals currently residing in the United States and Germany for allegedly “weaponizing” social media platforms to incite violence, disrupt public order and promote a secessionist agenda, officials said on December 30.

The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), the intelligence wing of the J&K Police, said the Special NIA Court in Srinagar has issued a proclamation directing the accused to appear before the court on or before January 31, 2026.

Those named in the FIR are Mubeen Ahmad Shah and Azizul Hassan Ashai alias Tony Ashai, both residents of Srinagar and currently based in the US, and Rifat Wani of Kupwara, who is based in Germany.

In a statement, CIK said the case was registered on the basis of “credible intelligence inputs” indicating a “well-orchestrated conspiracy by unscrupulous anti-social and anti-national elements operating at the behest of secessionist forces” from within and outside the Valley.

The FIR has been lodged under Sections 153-A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. According to police, the Special Judge designated under the NIA Act, Srinagar, has issued a proclamation under Section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, after the accused allegedly went underground to evade arrest.

Investigators allege the trio posed as news portals, journalists and freelancers, while in reality using platforms such as Facebook, X and WhatsApp to create and circulate “fake, motivated, exaggerated, secessionist and out-of-context content”.

Police said the deliberate objective of the online campaign was to “incite street violence, disrupt normal life, damage public property, disturb public order and fuel mass unrest”, thereby promoting anti-national sentiments and creating disaffection against the Union of India.

“Despite being declared absconders, the accused remain highly active on social media and continue to peddle false, fabricated and provocative content with the intent of inciting large-scale violence and destabilising public order in Jammu & Kashmir,” the police statement said.