In recent weeks, Indian authorities claimed an “arms recovery” in Kupwara district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Touted by New Delhi as evidence of “cross-border militancy,” this narrative was amplified across Indian media as yet another triumph of the security forces. But for many Kashmiris, the timing and emphasis of this so-called recovery appear all too familiar: a manufactured distraction to divert public and international attention from the devastating floods wreaking havoc across the Valley.

India’s claims of routine “arms seizures” in Kashmir have long followed a suspicious pattern. Whenever political missteps, governance failures, or humanitarian crises emerge, an “operation” is suddenly staged to project control and justify militarization. The latest recovery in Kupwara fits this well-worn script. By sensationalizing such incidents, New Delhi reinforces the narrative of a perpetual security threat, keeping its grip over the region under the guise of counterinsurgency. What this spectacle achieves, however, is not security but distraction. Instead of addressing the destruction of homes, farmlands, and livelihoods caused by floods, the state machinery invests its energy in projecting militaristic victories. The diversion is deliberate: humanitarian crises highlight government failure, while security optics help mask them.

The Kashmir Valley is reeling from some of the worst floods in recent memory. Vast swathes of agricultural land—the backbone of local livelihoods—have been destroyed. Transport networks remain damaged, impeding relief supplies. Small businesses, already battered by years of instability, now face total collapse. Entire communities have been displaced, left dependent on limited aid and ad hoc local solidarity. For Kashmiris, the floods are not just a natural calamity but the result of systemic neglect. Lifeline infrastructure—dams, embankments, drainage channels—remains underdeveloped or poorly maintained. Decades of militarized governance have deprioritized civilian welfare in favor of security installations. The state’s inability to mitigate or respond effectively to these floods reflects the broader failure to treat Kashmiris as equal citizens.

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah recently flew into Jammu for what was described as an “aerial survey” of the flood-hit region. But his visit carefully avoided the most devastated Kashmiri localities. For many, this selective itinerary underscored a familiar reality: Kashmir’s suffering remains peripheral to New Delhi’s political calculus. The visit was designed for optics—photo opportunities and televised statements of “concern”—rather than meaningful relief. No comprehensive rehabilitation package was announced. No commitment to rebuilding critical infrastructure was made. Instead, Shah’s presence was paired with the publicity of Kupwara’s “arms recovery,” reinforcing the security narrative while the humanitarian one was conveniently ignored.

India’s disaster response in IIOJK reflects a structural imbalance. Instead of channeling resources toward relief, reconstruction, and climate resilience, authorities double down on militarization. The same machinery that swiftly mobilizes troops and surveillance for “operations” drags its feet when it comes to evacuating flood victims or restoring essential services. This disparity is not accidental. It exposes the state’s priorities: political image and security control take precedence over human welfare. For ordinary Kashmiris, the message is unmistakable—their lives and livelihoods matter less than the perpetuation of militarized governance.

Kupwara’s staged “arms recovery” reflects a wider strategy. By weaving narratives of hidden weapons and cross-border infiltration, New Delhi sustains the perception that Kashmir remains a security challenge rather than a humanitarian crisis. This allows the state to justify extraordinary measures—extended militarization, curfews, media blackouts—while deflecting accountability for governance failures. Such tactics also work internationally. By portraying Kashmir as a theater of terrorism rather than a site of human suffering, India shields itself from criticism over human rights abuses and development neglect. Global audiences, distracted by the security storyline, often overlook the humanitarian emergencies that persist year after year.

If New Delhi seeks to project itself as a responsible power, it must move beyond optics and militarized propaganda. Genuine accountability begins with recognizing Kashmiris’ humanitarian needs as urgent and legitimate. Relief efforts must be prioritized, infrastructure rebuilt, and long-term resilience invested in. Equally, the constant staging of arms recovery stories must stop being used as a substitute for governance. Security operations cannot build embankments, nor can they replace lost harvests. For every weapon allegedly seized, there are thousands of Kashmiris losing homes, crops, and livelihoods.

The so-called arms recovery in Kupwara is not a victory but a diversion—an attempt to mask the Indian government’s failure to respond to the devastating floods in IIOJK. By prioritizing militarized narratives over humanitarian relief, New Delhi exposes its disregard for the lives of ordinary Kashmiris. As floodwaters recede, the real devastation will remain: destroyed homes, broken infrastructure, shattered livelihoods, and the bitter memory that when disaster struck, the state chose propaganda over compassion. For Kashmiris, Kupwara is not a story of security but of betrayal.