SRINAGAR: Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) detained journalist Hilal Mir on May 6, 2025. While authorities label him a "radical social media user" spreading "anti-national content," Hilal Mir is an established journalist who reports for different national and international news outlets and known for his critical reporting on Kashmir.
Mir's detention comes amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025. The detention once again highlights the growing suppression of journalists and press freedoms in the region.
According to the official press release from CIK, authorities detained "one Radical Social Media user namely Hilal Mir @ Hilal Saqi R/O Bemina Srinagar along with digital devices including a mobile phone, laptop etc." The statement makes no mention of Mir's profession as a journalist.
The language of the official statement portrays Mir as a security threat, claiming he "used to disseminate extremist/distorted content with an intention to disturb peace and promote disaffection and secessionist ideology and present India in a bad shape." It does not mention any particular social media posts but makes broad sweeping accusations.
The statement said that Mir was "actively engaged in posting and sharing content aimed at inciting sentiments among young minds and instigate secessionist sentiment by portraying Kashmiris as victims of systemic extermination." The statement characterizes his social media activity as "a veiled attempt to cultivate public resentment which is threat to security/sovereignty."
“A preliminary inspection of the ‘digital devices’ revealed access to the radical account along with incriminating materials and other extremist / distorted content /propaganda,” the statement said.
“During preliminary analysis, the suspect was also found in touch with some suspected foreign based cell numbers involved in suspicious activities, presumably taking dictation from the adversary for disturbing the peace and tranquility in the valley which is a matter of investigation. The suspect has been brought within the ambit of investigation and further probe is in progress,” reads the statement.
The official statement frames the detention as part of "a continued effort to curb the misuse of social media for radical activities and to save the Kashmiri youth from becoming the fodder of terrorism."
Mir's detention follows a disturbing pattern of detentions and interrogations targeting journalists and represents what various media watchdogs have described as “a widening clampdown on press freedom in the region" where raids, interrogations and detentions of journalists have become frequent.
By labeling Mir a "radical social media user" instead if acknowledging his journalistic credentials, the authorities effectively frame his work differently than how it is viewed by media professionals.
Terms like "social media abuser," "radical," "extremist content," and "secessionist ideology" in the official statement categorise his activities as extremist rather than journalistic. The reference to "foreign-based cell numbers" suggests foreign interference, potentially delegitimizing international connections that journalists often maintain for their work.
Some news reports after his arrest described him as an “ex-journalist”, even though he was actively reporting till about a week ago, as his muckrack page and LinkedIn profile reveals.
Sources said that several other journalists were also picked up, questioned and their devices confiscated. This could, however, not be verified.
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