Saurabh jain at 14:06, 23 April 2026

2026-04-23T14:06:01Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = kupwara massacre
| location = [[kupwara]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]
| date = 27 January 1994
| partof = [[Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir]]
| target = [[Civilians]]
| type = [[Mass shooting]]
| fatalities = 27 killed
| injuries = 38 wounded
| perpetrators = {{flagdeco|India}} [[Indian Army]]
}}

'''Kupwara massacre''' refers to the killing of 27 civilians, including three policemen, by the [[Indian Army]] in [[Kupwara]] town, [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], on 27 January 1994. The incident occurred a day after the local population observed a [[Strike action|strike]] on [[Republic Day (India)|Republic Day]]. The massacre is considered one of the darkest days in the history of Kupwara.<ref>{{Cite web |last=migrator |date=2018-01-27 |title=How investigation into 27 Jan 1994 Kupwara massacre was scuttled |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/kashmir/how-investigation-into-27-jan-1994-kupwara-massacre-was-scuttled/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Greater Kashmir |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2013-06-06 |title=Kupwara shuts to remember Jan 27 1994 massacre victims Lastupdate:- Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT GreaterKashmir.com |url=http://greaterkashmir.com/news/2013/Jan/28/kupwara-shuts-to-remember-jan-27-1994-massacre-victims-74.asp |access-date=2024-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606222909/http://greaterkashmir.com/news/2013/Jan/28/kupwara-shuts-to-remember-jan-27-1994-massacre-victims-74.asp |archive-date=6 June 2013 }}</ref>

==Background==
On 25 January, the [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]], part of the [[Indian Army]], warned locals against observing a strike on [[Republic Day (India)|Republic Day (26 January)]] and threatened dire consequences. Defying the warning, the people of Kupwara observed a complete shutdown on January 26.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-28 |title=Kupwara Massacre 1994: A day after R-day, 27 civilians were killed in Army firing - Rising Kashmir. Latest News, Breaking News From Kashmir's very own English Daily. |url=https://risingkashmir.com/kupwara-massacre-1994-a-day-after-r-day-27-civilians-were-killed-in-army-firing/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228062841/https://risingkashmir.com/kupwara-massacre-1994-a-day-after-r-day-27-civilians-were-killed-in-army-firing/ |archive-date=28 February 2014 }}</ref>

==The Massacre==
At approximately 11:00 AM on 27 January 1994, as shopkeepers were beginning to open their businesses, soldiers posted on Road Opening Party (ROP) duty, including personnel from the [[3 Medium Regiment (India)|31 Medium Regiment]], opened fire from all the directions. Among the dead were traders, government employees, police personnel, and civilians. Witnesses described horrifying scenes of bloodshed and chaos. A forest guard, Ghulam Muhammad Mir, was killed after being mistaken for a policeman due to his khaki uniform. Survivors reported that soldiers prevented anyone from assisting the injured, even as some victims succumbed to their injuries in front of their loved ones. Another survivor noted that the soldiers appeared to be avenging the Republic Day strike and deliberately targeted civilians.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-06 |title=Kupwara shuts to remember Jan 27 1994 massacre victims Lastupdate:- Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT GreaterKashmir.com |url=http://greaterkashmir.com/news/2013/Jan/28/kupwara-shuts-to-remember-jan-27-1994-massacre-victims-74.asp |access-date=2024-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606222909/http://greaterkashmir.com/news/2013/Jan/28/kupwara-shuts-to-remember-jan-27-1994-massacre-victims-74.asp |archive-date=6 June 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kupwara Massacre 1994 |url=https://www.kljp.org/articles/kupwara-massacre-1994 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=www.kljp.org}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
After the massacre, local police registered FIR No. 19/94 under sections of the [[Ranbir Penal Code|Ranbir Penal Code (RPC)]], including charges of murder (302) and attempted murder (307). The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) confirmed that the firing was unprovoked and unjustified, but the Indian Army refused to cooperate with the investigation. The case was closed in 1997 without any charges filed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=migrator |date=2018-01-27 |title=How investigation into 27 Jan 1994 Kupwara massacre was scuttled |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/kashmir/how-investigation-into-27-jan-1994-kupwara-massacre-was-scuttled/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Greater Kashmir |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2012, the CID informed the [[State Human Rights Commission Tamil Nadu|State Human Rights Commission (SHRC)]] that the [[3 Medium Regiment (India)|31 Medium Regiment]], under 2nd Lieutenant Colonel S. Bakhshi, was responsible for the killings. However, the Indian Army invoked the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) to block prosecution<ref>{{citation |author=Amnesty International |title=The Human Rights Crisis in Kashmir |publisher=Amnesty International |year=1995 |url=https://www.amnesty.org |quote=Amnesty International reported on the Kupwara massacre, describing the unprovoked firing by the Indian Army, resulting in the deaths of 27 individuals, with no accountability for those responsible.}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

==See also==
*[[1993 Bijbehara massacre]]
*[[1990 Gawkadal massacre]]
*[[1990 Handwara massacre]]
*[[Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir]]
*[[1993 Sopore massacre]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kupwara massacre, 1994}}
[[Category:Kupwara district|Massacre, 1994]]
[[Category:Massacres in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Massacres committed by India]]
[[Category:1994 murders in India]]
[[Category:1990s in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Indian war crimes in the Kashmir conflict]]
[[Category:Massacres in 1994]]
[[Category:January 1994 in India]]
[[Category:January 1994 crimes]]
[[Category:Massacres of Muslims in Kashmir]]
[[Category:Massacres of Muslims in India]]
[[Category:Massacres of Muslims]]

1994 Kupwara massacre - Revision history

Saurabh jain at 14:06, 23 April 2026