Authorities in Kashmir detained journalist, Hilal Mir, on Tuesday for “promoting extremist content on social media”. Mir, a journalist with bylines in prominent international outlets, was apprehended by the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) from his Bemina residence in Srinagar.
Mir, operating under the social media handles ‘Hilal Mir’ on X and ‘Mir Hilal’ on Facebook, is accused of spreading distorted content with the intention of inciting unrest, promoting secessionist ideologies, and presenting India in a negative light.
According to the authorities, a search of Mir’s digital devices, including his mobile phone and laptop, revealed access to extremist materials.
“The preliminary inspection of these devices uncovered incriminating content and propaganda linked to his radical accounts,” the CIK said, as per UNI.
Mir’s work has been featured on several national and international platforms, including Hindustan Times, Greater Kashmir, Anadolu Agency, TRT, and HuffPost.
The police statement did not mention Mir’s status as a journalist.
Investigators have also said that Mir was in contact with foreign-based cell numbers involved in suspicious activities. The authorities believe that these communications could be linked to efforts to destabilize peace in the region.
