The pro-Indian government militia, Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen—that targeted Pakistan-backed militants in Kashmir—was launched in 1993 by popular folk singer-turned militant Kuka Parray, after his surrender to Indian security forces. Soon, the methods they used began to be questioned, as they too began facing accusations of human rights violations similar to those adopted by militants.
“Kuka Parray was a prized asset, not only because he could do the dirty job for the army, but also because he was the only one to provide a breakthrough in a war India seemed to be losing—or at best, not winning—in Kashmir,” says an army officer who had served in Kashmir till 1997.
