insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir

{{Short description|Ongoing separatist militancy in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir}}

{{about |the localized insurgency in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir|the conflict between India and Pakistan over the larger region of Kashmir|Kashmir conflict}}

{{pp|small=yes}}

{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}

{{Infobox military conflict

| conflict = Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir

| partof = the Kashmir conflict

| image = Kashmir region. LOC 2003626427 - showing sub-regions administered by different countries.jpg

| image_size = 300px

| caption = CIA map of the Kashmir region

| date = 13 July 1989{{cite web|url=http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/basicfacts/politics/political_history.html|title=Chronicle of Important events/date in J&K's political history|first=Not|last=Specified|website=www.jammu-kashmir.com|access-date=29 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012061358/http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/basicfacts/politics/political_history.html|archive-date=12 October 2017}} – present ({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|year1=1989|month1=6|day=13}})

| place = Jammu and Kashmir

| status = Ongoing

| combatant1 = {{tree list}}

| combatant2 = Political Parties:

  • {{flagicon image|Hurriyat Conference Logo.jpg|border=}} APHC
  • {{flagicon image|Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Flag.svg}} JIJK

Armed groups:

  • {{flagicon image|Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front flag.svg}} JKLF (until 1992)
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Lashkar-e-Taiba.svg}} Lashkar-e-Taiba
  • {{flagicon image|Jaishi-e-Mohammed.svg}} JeM
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} MJC
  • Hizbul Mujahideen
  • PAFF
  • {{flagicon image|TRF_logo.png|border=}} TRF
  • {{flagicon image|Green Shahada.png}} DeM{{cite web |url= http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/story/224631.html |title= DeM cadres lead women congregations across Kashmir |work= Greater Kashmir |date= 3 August 2016 |access-date= 9 August 2016 |archive-date= 24 December 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181224181641/https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/story/224631.html |url-status= live }}{{cite web |url= http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/pro-freedom-rallies-in-pampore-bijbehara/224875.html |title= Pro-freedom rallies in Pampore, Bijbehara |first= Khalid |last= Gul |work= Greater Kashmir |date= 5 August 2016 |access-date= 9 August 2016 |archive-date= 8 August 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160808152845/http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/pro-freedom-rallies-in-pampore-bijbehara/224875.html |url-status= live }}{{cite web |url= http://kashmirreader.com/2016/08/02/dem-activists-asked-to-make-dua-e-majlis-successful/ |title= DeM activists asked to make Dua-e-Majlis successful |work= Kashmir Reader |date= 2 August 2016 |access-date= 9 August 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160803000443/http://kashmirreader.com/2016/08/02/dem-activists-asked-to-make-dua-e-majlis-successful/ |archive-date= 3 August 2016 |url-status= dead }}{{cite web |url= http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/this-is-people-s-movement-be-united-dem/223425.html |title= This is people's Movement, be United: DeM |date= 22 July 2016 |access-date= 9 August 2016 |archive-date= 24 December 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181224181639/https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/this-is-people-s-movement-be-united-dem/223425.html |url-status= live }} (until 2018)
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.svg}} HUM
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} HuJI
  • {{flagicon image|Al-Badr flag.svg}} Al-Badr
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Al-Umar-Mujahideen.svg}} Al-Umar-Mujahideen
  • Other separatist movements & insurgent militant groups{{cite book|title=Until My Freedom Has Come: The New Intifada in Kashmir|date=2011|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=9780143416470|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X7YOrcv1Bz0C&q=Kashmir+intifada|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104155/https://books.google.com/books?id=X7YOrcv1Bz0C&q=Kashmir+intifada|url-status=live}}{{cite book|last1=Margolis|first1=Eric|title=War at the Top of the World: The Struggle for Afghanistan, Kashmir and Tibet|date=2004|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781135955595|page=81|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FQGUAgAAQBAJ&q=Kashmiri+intifada|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104114/https://books.google.com/books?id=FQGUAgAAQBAJ&q=Kashmiri+intifada|url-status=live}}{{cite book|last1=Bose|first1=Sumantra|title=Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace|date=2009|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=9780674028555|page=107|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ACMe9WBdNAC&q=Kashmir+intifada&pg=PA107|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104115/https://books.google.com/books?id=3ACMe9WBdNAC&q=Kashmir+intifada&pg=PA107|url-status=live}}{{citation|title="insurgency" (noun)|url=http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/insurgency|publisher=Merriam-Webster Unabridged|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=20 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120131116/https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/subscriber/login?redirect_to=%2Funabridged%2Finsurgency|url-status=live}} Quote: "The quality or state of being insurgent; specifically : a condition of revolt against a recognized government that does not reach the proportions of an organized revolutionary government and is not recognized as belligerency" (subscription required){{citation|title=insurgency, n|publisher=Oxford English Dictionary|url=https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/97279?redirectedFrom=insurgency#eid|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=20 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120131120/https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/97279?redirectedFrom=insurgency#eid|url-status=live}} Quote: "The quality or state of being insurgent; the tendency to rise in revolt; = insurgence n. = The action of rising against authority; a rising, revolt." (subscription required){{citation|title=Insurgency|publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/insurgency|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=27 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127191403/https://www.britannica.com/topic/insurgency|url-status=live}} Quote: "Insurgency, term historically restricted to rebellious acts that did not reach the proportions of an organized revolution. It has subsequently been applied to any such armed uprising, typically guerrilla in character, against the recognized government of a state or country." (subscription required)"
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} AQIS{{Cite web|title=Al Qaeda In the Indian Subcontinent Released Video Titled 'Kashmir is our' Al Qaeda again target india|date=12 October 2021|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/twice-in-a-week-al-qaeda-in-indian-subcontinent-releases-new-video-named-kashmir-is-ours-4313042.html|access-date=13 October 2021|archive-date=19 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119065551/https://www.news18.com/news/india/twice-in-a-week-al-qaeda-in-indian-subcontinent-releases-new-video-named-kashmir-is-ours-4313042.html|url-status=live}}
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind

Supported by:

  • {{flag|Pakistan}}{{cite book|author1=Elizabeth Van Wie Davis|author2=Rouben Azizian|title=Islam, Oil, and Geopolitics: Central Asia After September 11|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7s4jAQAAIAAJ|year=2007|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-7425-4128-3|pages=281|quote=The trouble was that elements of Pakistan ' s government were involved with Islamist extremists . They had protected and supported not only the Taliban but also insurgents crossing the Line of Control into Indian - held Kashmir|access-date=13 May 2021|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104112/https://books.google.com/books?id=7s4jAQAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}{{citation|last=Kapur|first=S. Paul|title=Jihad as Grand Strategy: Islamist Militancy, National Security, and the Pakistani State|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AhYBDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA84|pages=84–|year=2017|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-976852-3|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104112/https://books.google.com/books?id=AhYBDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA84|url-status=live}}
  • {{cite book|title=India, Pakistan and the Secret Jihad |last1= Swami |first1=Praveen |year=2007 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-40459-4 |location= New York}}
  • {{Cite journal|title=Al Qaeda thriving in Kashmir in support of Pakistani intelligence against india reports Al Qaeda camps in azad kashmir Pakistan|journal=Christian Science Monitor|date=2 July 2002|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0702/p01s02-wosc.html|access-date=12 November 2021|archive-date=12 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112160316/https://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0702/p01s02-wosc.html|url-status=live}}
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} Al-Qaeda{{Cite web|title=Al-Qaeda calls for liberation of Kashmir|website = YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5skKkj2eEv0&ab_channel=WION |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/5skKkj2eEv0 |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|access-date=1 August 2021}}{{cbignore}}
  • {{flagicon image|C5e2f596ddahgd.png}} D-Company{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dawood-is-a-terrorist-has-strategic-alliance-with-ISI-says-US/articleshow/5418149.cms|title=Dawood is a terrorist, has 'strategic alliance' with ISI, says US|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-06-07|archive-date=3 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003232824/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dawood-is-a-terrorist-has-strategic-alliance-with-ISI-says-US/articleshow/5418149.cms|url-status=live}}

---- {{tree list}}

  • {{flagdeco|ISIL}} Islamic State
  • {{flagicon|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}} IS Khorasan{{Cite web|url=https://thedefensepost.com/2019/05/15/islamic-state-pakistan-province-al-hind/|title=ISIS announces new India and Pakistan provinces, casually breaking up Khorasan|date=15 May 2019|website=The Defense Post|access-date=4 June 2019|archive-date=10 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610230850/https://www.thedefensepost.com/2019/05/15/islamic-state-pakistan-province-al-hind/|url-status=live}}
  • {{flagicon|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}} IS Hind{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/islamic-state-claims-province-india-wilayah-of-hind-kashmir-1522610-2019-05-11|title=Islamic State claims it has established province in India, calls it Wilayah of Hind: Report|date=11 May 2019 |access-date=18 April 2021|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418175524/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/islamic-state-claims-province-india-wilayah-of-hind-kashmir-1522610-2019-05-11|url-status=live}}
  • {{flagdeco|ISIL}} ISJK{{cite news|work=Rediff.com|title=Islamic State J-K chief among 4 terrorists killed in Kashmir|date=22 June 2018|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-encounter-breaks-out-between-security-forces-and-terrorists-in-anantnag/20180622.htm|access-date=20 April 2023|archive-date=20 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220202558/https://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-encounter-breaks-out-between-security-forces-and-terrorists-in-anantnag/20180622.htm|url-status=live}}{{tree list/end}}

| strength1 = * Total ~ 343,000-700,000{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/8/4/india-imposes-kashmir-lockdown-puts-leaders-under-house-arrest|title=India imposes Kashmir lockdown, puts leaders 'under house arrest'|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=19 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119065554/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/8/4/india-imposes-kashmir-lockdown-puts-leaders-under-house-arrest|url-status=live}}Snehesh Alex Philip, [https://theprint.in/defence/what-imran-khan-says-is-9-lakh-soldiers-in-kashmir-is-actually-3-43-lakh-only/319442/ What Imran Khan says is 9 lakh soldiers in Kashmir is actually 3.43 lakh only] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902161621/https://theprint.in/defence/what-imran-khan-says-is-9-lakh-soldiers-in-kashmir-is-actually-3-43-lakh-only/319442/ |date=2 September 2021 }}, The Print, 12 November 2019.{{cite web |title=Kashmir |publisher=Stimson Center |url=http://www.stimson.org/southasia/?SN=SA2001112045 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630204847/http://www.stimson.org/southasia/?SN=SA2001112045 |archive-date=30 June 2006 }}: "Some reports estimate that India deploys approximately 400,000 combined army and paramilitary forces in Kashmir, most of which are stationed in the interior, 80,000 of which are deployed along the LoC."


(Nov 2019, including soldier posted at international border (LoC))

| strength2 = Unknown

| commander1 = {{plainlist}}

| commander2 = {{plainlist}}

  • {{flagicon image|Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Flag.svg}} Syed Ali Shah Geelani (until 2020)
  • {{flagicon image|Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Flag.svg}} Masarat Alam Bhat (2021–present){{Cite web|author=News Desk|date=2021-09-07|title=Masarat Alam is new chairman of Hurriyat Conference {{!}} Free Press Kashmir|url=https://freepresskashmir.news/2021/09/07/masarat-alam-is-new-chairman-of-hurriyat-conference/|access-date=2021-10-17|website=freepresskashmir.news|language=en-GB}}
  • {{flagicon image|Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Flag.svg}} Mohammad Abbas Ansari (until 2022)
  • {{flagicon image|Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front flag.svg}} Amanullah Khan (until 2016)
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Lashkar-e-Taiba.svg}} Hafiz Saeed
  • {{flagicon image|Jaishi-e-Mohammed.svg}} Maulana Azhar
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} Ilyas Kashmiri{{KIA}}
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} Zakir Rashid Bhat{{KIA}}
  • {{flagicon image|Green Shahada.png}}{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} Sayeed Salahudeen
  • {{flagicon image|Green Shahada.png}}{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} Burhan Wani{{KIA}}
  • {{flagicon image|Green Shahada.png}} Asiya Andrabi
  • {{flagicon image|Flag of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.svg}} Fazlur Rehman Khalil
  • {{flagicon image|Harakat flag.png}} Farooq Kashmiri
  • {{flagicon image|Al-Badr flag.svg}} Arfeen Bhai
  • {{flagicon image|Al-Badr flag.svg}} Bakht Zameen
  • Yasir Ahmed {{POW}}{{endplainlist}}

----

{{flagdeco|ISIL}} Dawood Ahmed Sofi{{KIA}}

| casualties1 = 2000–2024:
3,590 security forces killed{{Cite news|title=Yearly Fatalities|url=https://www.satp.org/datasheet-terrorist-attack/fatalities/india-jammukashmir|access-date=2024-06-01|website=SATP}}
2025:
3 security forces killed{{cite web|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/who-was-havildar-jhantu-ali-shaikh-martyred-in-udhampur-ops-1503424509.html|title= Who was Havildar Jhantu Ali Shaikh martyred in Udhampur ops?|date= 24 April 2025}}{{cite news |date=22 April 2025 |title=Intelligence Bureau Officer Shot In Front Of Wife, Children In J&K Attack |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/intelligence-bureau-officer-manish-ranjan-shot-in-front-of-wife-kids-in-pahalgam-terror-attack-deaths-8230390 |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=NDTV}}{{cite news |date=22 April 2025 |title=Indian Navy Officer among 26 killed in Pahalgam terror attack |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/navy-lieutenant-killed-pahalgam-attack-1.10530098 |access-date=22 April 2025 |newspaper=Mathrubhumi}}
1 security force captured{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1304717-indian-bsf-soldier-arrested-by-pakistan-rangers|title=BSF soldier arrested by Pakistan Rangers|website=The News}}

| casualties2 = 2000–2024:
13,321 militants killed
847 surrendered
5,832 arrested{{Cite news|title=Yearly Fatalities|url=https://www.satp.org/datasheet-terrorist-attack/fatalities/india-jammukashmir|access-date=2024-06-01|website=SATP}}

| casualties3 = 20,000+ civilian deaths{{cite web|url=http://ucdp.uu.se/#/actor/325|title=Kashmir insurgents|publisher=Uppsala Conflict Data Program|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001172908/http://ucdp.uu.se/#/actor/325|archive-date=1 October 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/228506/40000-people-killed-in-kashmir-india/|title=40,000 people killed in Kashmir: India|work=The Express Tribune|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227232416/https://tribune.com.pk/story/228506/40000-people-killed-in-kashmir-india/|archive-date=27 February 2017}}

}}

The insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, also known as the Kashmir insurgency, is an ongoing separatist militant insurgency against the Indian administration in Jammu and Kashmir,{{citation|last=Kazi|first=Seema|editor=Chitralekha Zutshi|title=Kashmir: History, Politics, Representation|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CPFKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA72|year=2017|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-108-22612-7|pages=150–171, 153|chapter=Law, Gender and Governance in Kashmir|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104237/https://books.google.com/books?id=CPFKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA72|url-status=live}}{{citation|title=From scholars into militants: Educated Kashmiri youths are joining an anti-India insurgency|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/from-scholar-to-militant-why-more-kashmiri-youth-are-joining-an-insurgency-against-india/2019/03/26/2a6e92c6-45ce-11e9-94ab-d2dda3c0df52_story.html|last=Slater|first=Joanna|date=28 March 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=27 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127191410/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/from-scholar-to-militant-why-more-kashmiri-youth-are-joining-an-insurgency-against-india/2019/03/26/2a6e92c6-45ce-11e9-94ab-d2dda3c0df52_story.html|url-status=live}} a territory constituting the southwestern portion of the larger geographical region of Kashmir, which has been the subject of a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947.(a) {{citation|title=Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indian-subcontinent|access-date=15 August 2019|archive-date=13 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813203817/https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indian-subcontinent|url-status=live}} (subscription required);
(b) {{citation|chapter=Kashmir|title=Encyclopedia Americana|publisher=Scholastic Library Publishing|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_cWAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA328|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7172-0139-6|page=328|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117135716/https://books.google.com/books?id=l_cWAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA328|url-status=live}} C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester
{{citation|last1=Jan·Osma鈔czyk|first1=Edmund|last2=Osmańczyk|first2=Edmund Jan|title=Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements: G to M|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fSIMXHMdfkkC&pg=PA1191|year=2003|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-93922-5|pages=1191–|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117140437/https://books.google.com/books?id=fSIMXHMdfkkC&pg=PA1191|url-status=live}} Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute between India and Pakistan. It has borders with Pakistan and China."

Jammu and Kashmir, long a breeding ground of separatist ambitions,{{citation|title=India Tempts Fate in Kashmir, 'The Most Dangerous Place in the World'|author=The Editorial Board|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/opinion/kashmir-article-370.html|date=6 August 2019|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=19 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119065550/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/opinion/kashmir-article-370.html|url-status=live}} Quote: "The Himalayan territory of Kashmir has long been the central source of friction between India and Pakistan and a hotbed of separatist aspirations." has experienced the insurgency since 1989.{{citation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/04/heightened-security-and-anxiety-in-kashmir-amid-fears-of-unrest|last=Ratcliffe|first=Rebecca|work=Guardian|title=Heightened security and anxiety in Kashmir amid fears of unrest|date=4 August 2019|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212210011/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/04/heightened-security-and-anxiety-in-kashmir-amid-fears-of-unrest|url-status=live}} Quote: "Kashmir is claimed by India and Pakistan in full and ruled in part by both. An insurgency on the Indian-administered side has been ongoing for three decades, and tens of thousands of people have been killed." S. Paul Kapur has argued that "[p]opular discontent in Kashmir resulted largely from chronic mismanagement and malfeasance on the part of the Indian central government... [and] was not a Pakistani creation. The Pakistanis actively capitalized on Kashmiri discontent, however, and played a crucial role in transforming spontaneous, decentralized opposition to Indian rule into a full-fledged insurgency." Some insurgent groups in Kashmir support complete independence, whereas others seek the region's accession to Pakistan.[http://ucdp.uu.se/#conflict/364 Conflict Encyclopedia – India: Kashmir] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001172908/http://ucdp.uu.se/ |date=1 October 2017 }}, Uppsala Conflict Data Program, 29 May 1977, retrieved 2013-05-29,

More explicitly, the roots of the insurgency are tied to a dispute over local autonomy.Uppsala Conflict Data Program Conflict Encyclopedia, Conflict Summary, Conflict name: India: Kashmir, "Roots of Conflict and the emergence of Kashmir Insurgents", viewed 2013-05-29, http://www.ucdp.uu.se/gpdatabase/gpcountry.php?id=74®ionSelect=6-Central_and_Southern_Asia# {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203162633/http://www.ucdp.uu.se/gpdatabase/gpcountry.php?id=74®ionSelect=6-Central_and_Southern_Asia |date=3 February 2013 }} Democratic development was limited in Kashmir until the late 1970s, and by 1988, many of the democratic reforms provided by the Indian government had been reversed and non-violent channels for expressing discontent were limited, which caused a dramatic increase in support for insurgents advocating violent secession from India. In 1987, a disputed election{{cite web|url=http://www.kashmirlibrary.org/kashmir_timeline/kashmir_chapters/kashmir-elections.shtml|title=Elections in Kashmir|publisher=Kashmirlibrary.org|access-date=2017-02-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201045510/http://kashmirlibrary.org/kashmir_timeline/kashmir_chapters/kashmir-elections.shtml|archive-date=1 February 2017}} held in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir created a catalyst for the insurgency when it resulted in some of the state's legislative assembly members forming armed insurgent groups.{{cite web|last1=Jeelani|first1=Mushtaq A.|title=Kashmir: A History Littered With Rigged Elections|url=http://www.mediamonitors.net/jeelani4.html|website=Media Monitors Network|access-date=24 February 2017|date=25 June 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051443/http://www.mediamonitors.net/jeelani4.html|archive-date=4 March 2016}} In July 1988, a series of demonstrations, strikes, and attacks on the Indian government effectively marked the beginning of the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, which escalated into the most severe security issue in India during the 1990s.

Pakistan, with whom India has fought three major wars over the Muslim-majority region, has officially claimed to be giving only its "moral and diplomatic" support to the separatist movement.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/south_asia/2002/india_pakistan/timeline/1989.stm|title=India Pakistan – Timeline|access-date=10 April 2015|work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222035446/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/south_asia/2002/india_pakistan/timeline/1989.stm|archive-date=22 February 2017|url-status=live}} The Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence has been accused by both India and the international community of supporting and supplying arms as well as providing training to "mujahideen" militants{{cite news|last1=Ali|first1=Mahmud|title=Pakistan's shadowy secret service|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6033383.stm|access-date=22 February 2017|work=BBC News|date=9 October 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221224921/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6033383.stm|archive-date=21 February 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Rashid|first1=Ahmed|title=Nato's top brass accuse Pakistan over Taliban aid|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1530756/Natos-top-brass-accuse-Pakistan-over-Taliban-aid.html|access-date=22 February 2017|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=6 October 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222113552/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1530756/Natos-top-brass-accuse-Pakistan-over-Taliban-aid.html|archive-date=22 February 2017}} in Jammu and Kashmir.{{cite news|last1=Gall|first1=Carlotta|title=At Border, Signs of Pakistani Role in Taliban Surge|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/21/world/asia/21quetta.html|access-date=21 February 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|date=21 January 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231131515/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/21/world/asia/21quetta.html|archive-date=31 December 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Jehl|first1=Douglas|last2=Dugger|first2=Celia W.|last3=Barringer|first3=Felicity|title=Death of Reporter Puts Focus on Pakistan Intelligence Unit|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/25/world/nation-challenged-suspects-death-reporter-puts-focus-pakistan-intelligence-unit.html|access-date=21 February 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|date=25 February 2002|archive-date=2 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502010653/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/25/world/nation-challenged-suspects-death-reporter-puts-focus-pakistan-intelligence-unit.html|url-status=live}} In 2015, a former President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, admitted that the Pakistani state had supported and trained insurgent groups in Kashmir throughout the 1990s.{{cite news|title=Pakistan supported, trained terror groups: Pervez Musharraf|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/pakistan-supported-trained-terror-groups-pervez-musharraf-115102800015_1.html|access-date=21 February 2017|agency=Press Trust of India|newspaper=Business Standard|date=28 October 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605051514/http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/pakistan-supported-trained-terror-groups-pervez-musharraf-115102800015_1.html|archive-date=5 June 2017}} Several new militant groups with radical Islamist views emerged during this time and changed the ideological emphasis of the movement from that of plain separatism to Islamic fundamentalism. This occurred partly due to the influence of a large number of Muslim jihadist militants who began to enter the Indian-administered Kashmir Valley through Pakistani-controlled territory across the Line of Control following the end of the Soviet–Afghan War in the 1980s. India has repeatedly called on Pakistan to end its alleged "cross-border terrorism" in the region.

The conflict between militants and Indian security forces in Kashmir has led to a large number of casualties;Uppsala Conflict Data Program Conflict Encyclopedia, Conflict Summary, India: Kashmir (entire conflict), Fatality estimates, viewed 2013-05-29, http://www.ucdp.uu.se/gpdatabase/gpcountry.php?id=74®ionSelect=6-Central_and_Southern_Asia# {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203162633/http://www.ucdp.uu.se/gpdatabase/gpcountry.php?id=74®ionSelect=6-Central_and_Southern_Asia |date=3 February 2013 }} many civilians have also died as a result of being targeted by various armed militant groups.Uppsala Conflict Data Program Conflict Encyclopedia, India One-sided violence, Government of India – civilians, Kashmir insurgents – civilians, Lashkar-e-Taiba – civilians, viewed on 2012-05-29, http://www.ucdp.uu.se/gpdatabase/gpcountry.php?id=74®ionSelect=6-Central_and_Southern_Asia# {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203162633/http://www.ucdp.uu.se/gpdatabase/gpcountry.php?id=74®ionSelect=6-Central_and_Southern_Asia |date=3 February 2013 }} According to government data, around 41,000 people—consisting of 14,000 civilians, 5,000 security personnel and 22,000 militants—have died because of the insurgency {{As of|2017|March|lc=y}}, with most deaths happening in the 1990s and early 2000s. Non-governmental organisations have claimed a higher death toll. The insurgency has also forced the large-scale migration of non-Muslim minority Kashmiri Hindus out of the Kashmir Valley.{{harvnb|Evans|2002|loc=p. 19: "Most Kashmiri Pandits living in the Kashmir Valley left in 1990 as militant violence engulfed the state. Some 95% of the 160,000-170,000 community left in what is often described as a case of ethnic cleansing."}} Since the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, the Indian military has intensified its counter-insurgency operations in the region.

History

{{See also|History of Kashmir|List of terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir}}

= 1947–1982 =

{{See also|Partition of India|First Kashmir War}}

After independence from colonial rule India and Pakistan were engaged in a war over the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. At the end of the war India controlled the southern portion of the princely state. While there were sporadic periods of violence there was no organised insurgency movement.

During this period legislative elections in the state of Jammu and Kashmir were first held in 1951 and Sheikh Abdullah's secular party stood unopposed. He was an instrumental member in the accession of the state to India.{{Cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-12-05/news/44808338_1_omar-abdullah-jammu-and-kashmir-sheikh-abdullah|title=Omar Abdullah hails Sheikh Abdullah's decision to accede J-K to India|access-date=10 November 2016|archive-date=8 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208164553/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-12-05/news/44808338_1_omar-abdullah-jammu-and-kashmir-sheikh-abdullah|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://m.greaterkashmir.com/news/opinion/story/225175.html|title=Excerpts of Sheikh Abdullah's speech defending the accession|date=9 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110172831/http://m.greaterkashmir.com/news/opinion/story/225175.html|archive-date=10 November 2016}}

However, Sheikh Abdullah would fall in and out of favour with the central government and would often be dismissed only to be re-appointed later on.{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sheikh-Muhammad-Abdullah |access-date=2024-06-09 |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |language=en}} This was a time of political instability and power struggle in Jammu and Kashmir, and it went through several periods of president's rule by the Federal Government.

= 1982–2004 =

File:Insurgency Terror-related Fatalities of Civilians and Security Forces in Jammu and Kashmir India from 1988 to 2013.png

After Sheikh Abdullah's death, his son Farooq Abdullah took over as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Farooq Abdullah eventually fell out of favour with the Central Government and the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had his government toppled with the help of his brother-in-law G. M. Shah. GM Shah was the chief minister during the 1986 Anantnag Riots until he was removed and replaced by Farooq Abdullah.{{cite book|author=Tikoo|first=Colonel Tej K|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iuURFTHTU0EC&pg=PT397|title=Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus|publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC|year=2013|isbn=978-1-935501-58-9|pages=397–}} A year later, Abdullah reached an accord with the new Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and announced an alliance with the Indian National Congress for the elections of 1987. The elections were allegedly rigged in favour of Abdullah.

Most commentators state that this led to the rise of an armed insurgency movement composed, in part, of those who unfairly lost the elections. Pakistan supplied these groups with logistical support, arms, recruits and training.

In the second half of 1989 the alleged assassinations of the Indian spies and political collaborators by the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front was intensified. Over six months more than a hundred officials were killed to paralyse government's administrative and intelligence apparatus. The daughter of then interior affairs minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was kidnapped in December and four militants had to be released for her release. This event led to mass celebrations all over the valley. Farooq Abdullah resigned in January after the appointment of Jagmohan Malhotra as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Subsequently, J&K was placed under Governor's Rule under Article 92 of state constitution.{{Cite book|title=Kashmir Demysitified|last=Behera|first=Navnita Chadha|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|year=2006|location=Washington}}

Under JKLF's leadership on 21–23 January large scale protests were organised in the Kashmir Valley. As a response to this largely explosive situation paramilitary units of BSF and CRPF were called. These units were used by the government to combat Maoist insurgency and the North-Eastern insurgency. The challenge to them in this situation was not posed by armed insurgents but by the stone pelters. Their inexperience caused at least 50 casualties in Gawkadal massacre. In this incident the underground militant movement was transformed into a mass struggle. To curb the situation AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) was imposed on Kashmir in September 1990 to suppress the insurgency by giving armed forces the powers to kill and arrest without warrant to maintain public order. During this time the dominant tactic involved killing of a prominent figure in a public gathering, such as Wali Mohammad Itoo in 1994, to push forces into action and the public prevented them from capturing these insurgents. This sprouting of sympathisers in Kashmir led to the hard-line approach of Indian army.{{Cite book|title=Kashmir Demystified|last=Behera|first=Navnita Chadha|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|year=2006|location=Washington D.C.}}

With JKLF at forefront large number of militant groups like Allah Tigers, People's League and Hizb-i-Islamia sprung up. Weapons were smuggled on a large scale from Pakistan. In Kashmir JKLF operated under the leadership of Ashfaq Majid Wani, Yasin Bhat, Hamid Shiekh and Javed Mir. To counter this growing pro-Pakistani sentiment in Kashmir, Indian media associated it exclusively with Pakistan.{{Cite book|title=Kashmir Roots of Conflict Paths to Peace|url=https://archive.org/details/kashmirrootsconf00bose|url-access=limited|last=Bose|first=Sumantra|publisher=Harvard University Press|year=2003|location=Cambridge|pages=[https://archive.org/details/kashmirrootsconf00bose/page/n157 146]}}

JKLF used distinctly Islamic themes to mobilise crowds and justify their use of violence. They sought to establish an Islamic democratic state where the rights of minorities would be protected according to Quran and Sunna and economy would be organised on the principles of Islamic socialism.{{Cite book|title=Demystifying Kashmir|last=Behra|first=Navnita Chadha|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|year=2006|location=Washington D.C.|pages=150}}

The Indian army has conducted various operations to control and eliminate insurgency in the region such as Operation Sarp Vinash,{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2003/07/31/stories/2003073102911200.htm|title=Fernandes reveals 'Sarp Vinash' toll|date=31 July 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051105210943/http://www.thehindu.com/2003/07/31/stories/2003073102911200.htm|newspaper=The Hindu|archive-date=5 November 2005}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/sair/Archives/1_46.htm|title=A Militia Against Terror {{!}} J&K: Operation Sarp Vinash - The Army Strikes Hard {{!}} South Asia Intelligence Review (SAIR), Vol. No. 1.46|website=www.satp.org|access-date=2018-03-07|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925235718/http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/sair/Archives/1_46.htm|archive-date=25 September 2016}} in which a multi-battalion offensive was launched against militants from groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami, al-Badr and Jaish-e-Mohammed who had been constructing shelters in the Pir Panjal region of Jammu and Kashmir over several years.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/operation-sarp-vinash-army-clears-hill-kaka/articleshow/47305413.cms?from=mdr|title=Operation Sarp Vinash: Army clears Hill Kaka|last=Kumar|first=Devesh|date=2003-05-24|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-03-07|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308044308/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/operation-sarp-vinash-army-clears-hill-kaka/articleshow/47305413.cms?from=mdr|archive-date=8 March 2018}} The subsequent operations led to the death of over 60 militants{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/may/23josy1.htm|title=Operation 'Sarp Vinash': Over 60 terrorists killed|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=2018-03-07|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613172236/http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/may/23josy1.htm|archive-date=13 June 2017}} and uncovered the largest network of militant hideouts in the history of insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir covering almost 100 square kilometers.{{Cite web |last=Majid |first=Zulfikar |title='Sarp Vinash type of operation needed to eradicate militancy in Rajuri-Poonch' |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/sarp-vinash-type-of-operation-needed-to-eradicate-militancy-in-rajuri-poonch-1217460.html |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Joseph |first=Josy |title=Operation Sarp Vinash chief pulled up |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2003/may/28josy.htm |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Rediff |language=en}}

=Cultural changes=

Cinema houses were banned by some militant groups.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/cinema-halls-are-first-fatality-of-militancy-in-kashmir-1378048-2018-10-29|title=Cinema halls are first fatality of militancy in Kashmir|date=29 October 2018 |access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429074807/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/cinema-halls-are-first-fatality-of-militancy-in-kashmir-1378048-2018-10-29|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/long-reads/kashmirs-ghost-theatres-4393023.html|title=Kashmir's ghost theatres|date=16 March 2018 |access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429074807/https://www.firstpost.com/long-reads/kashmirs-ghost-theatres-4393023.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/824328/kashmir-has-lost-its-cinema-halls-but-not-its-love-for-the-movies|title=Kashmir has lost its cinema halls but not its love for the movies|date=19 December 2016 |access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429074810/https://scroll.in/reel/824328/kashmir-has-lost-its-cinema-halls-but-not-its-love-for-the-movies|url-status=live}} Many militant organisations like Al baqr, People's league, Wahdat-e-Islam and Allah Tigers imposed restrictions like banning cigarettes, restrictions on Kashmiri girls.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CUB4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA47 |title=What Is Moderate Islam? |last=Benkin |first=Richard L. |date=2017-04-12 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=9781498537421 |page=47 |language=en |access-date=12 November 2020 |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104113/https://books.google.com/books?id=CUB4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA47 |url-status=live }}{{Tone inline|date=March 2022}}

= 2004–11 =

{{main|2010 Kashmir unrest}}

Beginning in 2004 Pakistan began to end its support for insurgents in Kashmir.{{cite book|last1=Tucker|first1=Spencer C.|title=Encyclopedia of Insurgency and Counterinsurgency A New Era of Modern Warfare|date=2013|publisher=ABC-CLIO, LLC|location=Santa Barbara, California|isbn=978-1-61069-279-3}} This happened because militant groups linked to Kashmir twice tried to assassinate Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf. His successor, Asif Ali Zardari has continued the policy, calling insurgents in Kashmir "terrorists", although it is unclear if Pakistan's intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence, thought to be the agency aiding and controlling the insurgency is following Pakistan's commitment to end support for the insurgency in Kashmir. Despite the change in the nature of the insurgency from a phenomenon supported by external forces to a primarily domestic-driven movement the Indian government has continued to send large numbers of troops to the Indian border. There have been widespread protests against the Indian army presence in Kashmir.

Once the most formidable face of Kashmir militancy, Hizbul Mujahideen is slowly fading away as its remaining commanders and cadres are being taken out on a regular interval by security forces.{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Hizbul-Mujahideen-almost-wiped-out-in-Kashmir/articleshow/10408682.cms | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729010520/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-19/india/30296919_1_kashmir-valley-security-forces-mohammad-shafi | url-status=live | archive-date=29 July 2012 | work=The Times of India | title=Hizbul Mujahideen almost wiped out in Kashmir | date=19 October 2011}} Some minor incidents of grenade throwing and sniper firing at security forces notwithstanding, the situation is under control and more or less peaceful. A record number of tourists including Amarnath pilgrims visited Kashmir during 2012. On 3 August 2012, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba militant commander, Abu Hanzulah involved in various attacks on civilians and security forces was killed in an encounter with security forces in a village in Kupwara district of north Kashmir.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Srinagar/J-amp-K-Top-LeT-commander-killed-in-encounter/Article1-907473.aspx |title=J&K: Top LeT commander killed in encounter |date=3 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803100038/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Srinagar/J-amp-K-Top-LeT-commander-killed-in-encounter/Article1-907473.aspx |archive-date=3 August 2012}}

=2012–present=

{{main|2013 India–Pakistan border skirmishes|2014–15 India–Pakistan border skirmishes|2016–17 Kashmir unrest}}

According to Indian Army data quoted by Reuters, at least 70 young Kashmiris joined the insurgency in 2014, army records showed, with most joining the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attacks.{{Cite web |date=2016-01-10 |title=NIA :: Banned Terrorist Organisations |url=http://www.nia.gov.in/banned_org.aspx |access-date=2022-04-20 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110115355/http://www.nia.gov.in/banned_org.aspx |archive-date=10 January 2016 |url-status=dead}} Two of the new recruits have doctorates and eight were post graduates, the army data showed.{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/843452/kashmiris-join-insurgency-against-india-at-highest-rate-in-two-decades/|title=Kashmiris join insurgency against India at highest rate in two decades|work=The Express Tribune|date=24 February 2015|access-date=25 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626104329/http://tribune.com.pk/story/843452/kashmiris-join-insurgency-against-india-at-highest-rate-in-two-decades/|archive-date=26 June 2015}} According to BBC, despite a Pakistani ban on militant activity in Kashmir in 2006, its militants continue to attempt infiltration into Indian-administered Kashmir. These attempts were curtailed however when people living along the Line of Control which divides Indian and Pakistani Kashmir started to hold public protests against the activities of the insurgent groups.{{cite news|title=Who are the Kashmir militants?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-18738906|access-date=21 February 2017|work=BBC News|date=1 August 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220135306/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-18738906|archive-date=20 February 2017}}

In 2016, violence erupted in the aftermath of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani by security forces. Since then, militants belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammed group carried out the 2016 Uri attack and the 2018 Sunjuwan attack. In February 2019, the Pulwama attack occurred, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed by a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber.

In August 2019, the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked, following which the Indian Army intensified its counter-insurgency operations. In June 2020, Doda district was declared militancy free while Tral was declared free from Hizbul Mujahideen militants.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-29|title=Jammu's Doda is militancy free, say cops after Hizbul terrorist Masood killed in encounter|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jammu-s-doda-is-militancy-free-say-cops-after-hizbul-terrorist-masood-killed-in-encounter/story-dZsjrZuPZISqGz4mwlnzEL.html|access-date=2020-06-29|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629073031/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jammu-s-doda-is-militancy-free-say-cops-after-hizbul-terrorist-masood-killed-in-encounter/story-dZsjrZuPZISqGz4mwlnzEL.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=26 June 2020|agency=PTI|title=No Hizbul militant in south Kashmir's Tral now, first time since 1989: Police|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-hizbul-militant-in-south-kashmirs-tral-now-first-time-since-1989-police/articleshow/76649954.cms|access-date=2020-06-29|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928030927/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-hizbul-militant-in-south-kashmirs-tral-now-first-time-since-1989-police/articleshow/76649954.cms|url-status=live}} In July, a Kashmir police tweet from an official twitter handle said "no resident of #Srinagar district in terrorist ranks now".{{Cite web|date=2020-07-26|title=No resident of Srinagar in terrorist ranks after killing of top LeT commander: Kashmir IGP|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/no-resident-of-srinagar-in-terrorist-ranks-after-killing-of-top-let-commander-kashmir-igp-6524514/|access-date=2020-07-27|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727110035/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/no-resident-of-srinagar-in-terrorist-ranks-after-killing-of-top-let-commander-kashmir-igp-6524514/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Hussain|first=Ashiq|date=2020-07-26|title=After killing of LeT man, no resident of Srinagar is in terrorist ranks: IGP|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/after-killing-of-let-man-no-resident-of-srinagar-is-in-terrorist-ranks-igp/story-J6Wr5jJwe3ukfvhBqcrGAO.html|access-date=2020-07-27|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727105556/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/after-killing-of-let-man-no-resident-of-srinagar-is-in-terrorist-ranks-igp/story-J6Wr5jJwe3ukfvhBqcrGAO.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Pandit|first=M. Saleem|date=26 July 2020|title=Srinagar district is now terror-free: Police|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/srinagar-district-is-now-terror-free-police/articleshow/77186638.cms|access-date=2020-07-27|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727110353/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/srinagar-district-is-now-terror-free-police/articleshow/77186638.cms|url-status=live}} On 27 June 2021, a day after the successful completion of discussions between the Indian Prime Minister and Jammu and Kashmir political leaders, a drone based attack was reported at the technical area of Jammu Airport which is under the control of the IAF.{{Cite web|title=NC terms drone attack inside Jammu airport as terrorism by rogue state Pakistan|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/nc-terms-drone-attack-inside-jammu-airport-as-terrorism-by-rogue-state-pakistan-1.5786856|access-date=2021-06-28|website=Mathrubhumi|date=28 June 2021 |language=en|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628074547/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/nc-terms-drone-attack-inside-jammu-airport-as-terrorism-by-rogue-state-pakistan-1.5786856|url-status=live}} In the first three months of 2022, there was a 100% increase in the number of Indian soldiers killed by Kashmiri militants compared to the same period in 2021.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-22 |title=10 Jawans Killed This Year in J&K as Terrorists Ramp Up Grenade, Hit-&-Run Attacks on Security Forces |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/jammu-kashmir-100-more-jawans-killed-in-encounters-58-more-injured-in-2022-5030965.html |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422130341/https://www.news18.com/news/india/jammu-kashmir-100-more-jawans-killed-in-encounters-58-more-injured-in-2022-5030965.html |url-status=live }}

=2025=

On 22 April, 2025 Pahalgam attack, also an Indian navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau officer were killed in the attack.{{cite news |date=22 April 2025 |title=Intelligence Bureau Officer Shot In Front Of Wife, Children In J&K Attack |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/intelligence-bureau-officer-manish-ranjan-shot-in-front-of-wife-kids-in-pahalgam-terror-attack-deaths-8230390 |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=NDTV}}{{cite news |date=22 April 2025 |title=Indian Navy Officer among 26 killed in Pahalgam terror attack |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/navy-lieutenant-killed-pahalgam-attack-1.10530098 |access-date=22 April 2025 |newspaper=Mathrubhumi}}

On 23 April, an Indian soldier was killed and two other soldiers were wounded in clashes with insurgents.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/who-was-havildar-jhantu-ali-shaikh-martyred-in-udhampur-ops-1503424509.html|title= Who was Havildar Jhantu Ali Shaikh martyred in Udhampur ops?|date= 24 April 2025}}

===2025 India–Pakistan diplomatic crisis===

Raging as an Indian BSF officer was arrested by Pakistani Ranger units.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1304717-indian-bsf-soldier-arrested-by-pakistan-rangers|title=BSF soldier arrested by Pakistan Rangers|website=The News}}

Motivations behind the insurgency

= Rigging of 1987 Assembly elections =

{{Further|1987 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election}}

Following the rise of Islamisation in the Kashmir valley, during the 1987 state elections, various Islamic anti-establishment groups including Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir were organised under a single banner named Muslim United Front (MUF), that is largely current Hurriyat. MUF's election manifesto stressed the need for a solution to all outstanding issues according to Simla Agreement, work for Islamic unity and against political interference from the centre. Their slogan was wanting the law of the Quran in the Assembly.{{Cite book |last=Schofield |first=Victoria |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rkTetMfI6QkC&pg=PA137 |title=Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War |date=2000 |publisher=I.B.Tauris |isbn=9781860648984 |pages=137 |language=en}} But the MUF won only four seats, even though it had polled 31% votes in the election. However, the elections were widely believed to be rigged, changing the course of politics in the state. The insurgency was sparked by the apparent rigging of state elections in 1987.{{Cite news |date=2016-03-22 |title=How Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Shaped the 1987 Elections in Kashmir |language=en-US |work=The Caravan |url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/vantage/mufti-mohammad-sayeed-shaped-1987-kashmir-elections |url-status=live |access-date=2017-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428235753/http://www.caravanmagazine.in/vantage/mufti-mohammad-sayeed-shaped-1987-kashmir-elections |archive-date=28 April 2017}}

= Human rights abuses =

{{Main|Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir}}

Indian troops entered the valley to quell the insurgency after it began.{{cite news |last1=Hashim |first1=Asad |date=27 May 2014 |title=Timeline: India-Pakistan relations |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/spotlight/kashmirtheforgottenconflict/2011/06/2011615113058224115.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301040548/http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/spotlight/kashmirtheforgottenconflict/2011/06/2011615113058224115.html |archive-date=1 March 2017}} Some analysts have suggested that the number of Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir is close to 600,000 although estimates vary and the government refuses to release official figures. The troops have been accused and held accountable for several humanitarian abuses and have engaged in mass extrajudicial killings, torture, rape and sexual abuse.

Indian security forces have been implicated in many reports for enforced disappearances of thousands of Kashmiris whereas the security forces deny having their information and/or custody. This is often in association with torture or extrajudicial killing. Human right activists estimate the number of disappeared to be over eight thousand, last seen in government detention.{{cite web |author=Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch |date=16 February 2007 |title=India: Investigate All 'Disappearances' in Kashmir | Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2007/02/14/india-investigate-all-disappearances-kashmir |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805163849/http://www.hrw.org/news/2007/02/14/india-investigate-all-disappearances-kashmir |archive-date=5 August 2012 |access-date=2012-10-01 |publisher=Hrw.org}}{{cite web |author=Human Rights Watch |date=11 September 2006 |title=Everyone Lives in Fear |url=https://www.hrw.org/print/reports/2006/09/11/everyone-lives-fear-0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415014414/http://www.hrw.org/print/reports/2006/09/11/everyone-lives-fear-0 |archive-date=15 April 2013 |access-date=2012-10-01 |publisher=Hrw.org}} The disappeared are believed to be dumped in thousands of mass graves across Kashmir.{{cite book |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2009/india |title=India | Human Rights Watch |date=14 January 2009 |publisher=Hrw.org |chapter=India: Events of 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903082652/http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2009/india |archive-date=3 September 2012 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Bukhari |first=Shujaat |title=Mass graves found in North Kashmir containing 2,900 unmarked bodies |language=en |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Mass-graves-found-in-North-Kashmir-containing-2900-unmarked-bodies/article16851202.ece |url-status=live |access-date=2017-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429233249/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Mass-graves-found-in-North-Kashmir-containing-2900-unmarked-bodies/article16851202.ece |archive-date=29 April 2018}}{{Cite news |date=2011-08-25 |title=Kashmir graves: Human Rights Watch calls for inquiry |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-14660253 |url-status=live |access-date=2017-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423001359/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-14660253 |archive-date=23 April 2017}}{{Cite web |date=2008-08-30 |title=India must investigate unidentified graves, News, Amnesty International Australia |url=https://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/11808/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830095509/http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/11808/ |archive-date=2008-08-30 |access-date=2017-04-22}}[http://www.kashmirprocess.org/reports/graves/BuriedEvidenceKashmir.pdf Buried Evidence: Unknown, Unmarked, and Mass Graves in Indian-Administered Kashmir] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017070644/http://www.kashmirprocess.org/reports/graves/BuriedEvidenceKashmir.pdf|date=17 October 2011}} A preliminary report; International People's Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in Kashmir A State Human Rights Commission inquiry in 2011, has confirmed there are thousands of bullet-ridden bodies buried in unmarked graves in Jammu and Kashmir. Of the 2730 bodies uncovered in 4 of the 14 districts, 574 bodies were identified as missing locals in contrast to the Indian governments insistence that all the graves belong to foreign militants.{{cite web |date=24 August 2011 |title=India: Investigate Unmarked Graves in Jammu and Kashmir | Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/08/24/india-investigate-unmarked-graves-jammu-and-kashmir |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904202829/http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/08/24/india-investigate-unmarked-graves-jammu-and-kashmir |archive-date=4 September 2012 |access-date=2012-10-01 |publisher=Hrw.org}}{{cite news |last=LYDIA POLGREEN |date=22 August 2011 |title=Mass Graves Hold Thousands, Kashmir Inquiry Finds |newspaper=NYTimes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/world/asia/23kashmir.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502195234/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/world/asia/23kashmir.html |archive-date=2 May 2016}}

Military forces in Jammu and Kashmir operate under impunity and emergency powers granted to them by the central government. These powers allow the military to curtail civil liberties, creating further support for the insurgency.{{cite web |date=7 February 2012 |title=India: Security forces cannot claim immunity under AFSPA, must face trial for violations |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2012/02/india-security-forces-cannot-claim-immunity-under-afspa-must-face-trial-violations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423062142/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2012/02/india-security-forces-cannot-claim-immunity-under-afspa-must-face-trial-violations/ |archive-date=23 April 2017 |access-date=7 March 2012 |publisher=Amnesty International}}

The insurgents have also abused human rights, driving away Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley, an action that has been called ethnic cleansing The government's inability to protect the people from both its own troops and the insurgency has further eroded support for the government.{{cite web |date=16 July 1999 |title=Rights Abuses Behind Kashmir Fighting – Human Rights Watch |url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/1999/07/16/india954.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019175125/http://hrw.org/english/docs/1999/07/16/india954.htm |archive-date=19 October 2008 |access-date=25 June 2015 |work=hrw.org}}

Amnesty International accused security forces of exploiting the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that enables them to "hold prisoners without trial". The group argues that the law, which allows security to detain individuals for as many as two years "without presenting charges, violating prisoners' human rights".{{cite web |last=Huey |first=Caitlin |date=28 March 2011 |title=Amnesty International Cites Human Rights Abuse in Kashmir |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/03/28/amnesty-international-cites-human-rights-abuse-in-kashmir |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430022351/http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/03/28/amnesty-international-cites-human-rights-abuse-in-kashmir |archive-date=30 April 2013 |access-date=2012-10-01 |publisher=Usnews.com}} The Army sources maintain that "any move to revoke AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir would be detrimental to the security of the Valley and would provide a boost to the terrorists."{{Cite news |title=Army opposes Omar's plans to revoke AFSPA: Report |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-opposes-Omars-plans-to-revoke-AFSPA-Report/articleshow/4197012.cms |url-status=live |access-date=2017-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012072106/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-opposes-Omars-plans-to-revoke-AFSPA-Report/articleshow/4197012.cms |archive-date=12 October 2017}}

Former Indian Army Chief General V. K. Singh rejected the accusations that the action was not taken in the cases of human rights violations by Army personnel. On 24 October 2010, he has said that 104 Army personnel had been punished in Jammu and Kashmir in this regard, including 39 officers. He also said that 95% of the allegations of human rights abuses against Indian Army were proved to be false, of which he remarked, had apparently been made with the "ulterior motive of maligning the armed forces".{{Cite news |date=2010-10-24 |title=104 armymen punished for human rights violations in JK: Gen VK Singh {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis |language=en-US |work=dna |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-104-armymen-punished-for-human-rights-violations-in-jk-gen-vk-singh-1457257 |url-status=live |access-date=2017-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425121321/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-104-armymen-punished-for-human-rights-violations-in-jk-gen-vk-singh-1457257 |archive-date=25 April 2017}} However, according to Human Rights Watch, the military courts in India, in general, were proved to be incompetent to deal with cases of serious human rights abuses and were responsible in covering up evidence and protecting the involved officers.{{Cite web |title=Rape by Security Forces: The Pattern of Impunity |url=https://www.hrw.org/legacy/about/projects/womrep/General-42.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012104533/https://www.hrw.org/legacy/about/projects/womrep/General-42.htm |archive-date=12 October 2017 |access-date=2017-05-01 |website=www.hrw.org}} Amnesty International in its report in 2015, titled "Denied"-Failures in Accountability in Jammu and Kashmir, says, "...with respect to investigations, an inquiry that is conducted by the same authority accused of the crime raises serious questions about the independence and impartiality of those proceedings", adding that according to the international law, an independent authority that is not involved in the alleged violations has to investigate such crimes.{{Cite web |author= |date=2016-09-03 |title=96% complaints against army rejected by GoI under 'colonial' AFSPA: Amnesty |url=http://kashmirreader.com/2016/09/03/96-complaints-against-army-rejected-by-goi-under-colonial-afspa-amnesty/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804103846/http://kashmirreader.com/2016/09/03/96-complaints-against-army-rejected-by-goi-under-colonial-afspa-amnesty/ |archive-date=4 August 2017 |access-date=2017-05-01 |website=Kashmir Reader}}

These human rights violations are said to have contributed to the rise of resistance in Kashmir.{{Cite web |title=Kashmir's disturbing new reality {{!}} the young militants of Kashmir |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/static/the-young-militants-of-kashmir/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530162002/http://www.hindustantimes.com/static/the-young-militants-of-kashmir/ |archive-date=30 May 2017 |access-date=2017-05-24 |website=Hindustantimes.com |quote=Then, youngsters used to take to the streets and pelt stones to protest human right violations...}}{{Cite news |last=Parthasarathy |first=Malini |title=Understanding Kashmir's stone pelters |language=en |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/Understanding-Kashmirs-stone-pelters/article16120870.ece |url-status=live |access-date=2017-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429233249/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/Understanding-Kashmirs-stone-pelters/article16120870.ece |archive-date=29 April 2018 |quote=Today's protesters might shout anti-India slogans such as azadi, but their anger is specifically directed at the security forces in the context of the brutal killings of innocent boys...}}

= ISI's role =

The Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence has encouraged and aided the Kashmir independence movement through an insurgency due to its dispute on the legitimacy of Indian rule in Kashmir, with the insurgency as an easy way to keep Indian troops distracted and cause international condemnation of India. Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf in Oct 2014 said during TV interview, "We have source (in Kashmir) besides the (Pakistan) army...People in Kashmir are fighting against (India). We just need to incite them."{{cite magazine |date=16 October 2014 |title=Pakistan needs to incite those fighting in Kashmir: Musharraf |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/musharraf-pakistan-kashmir-kargil-conflict-militants/1/396106.html |url-status=live |magazine=India Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012065029/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/musharraf-pakistan-kashmir-kargil-conflict-militants/1/396106.html |archive-date=12 October 2017 |access-date=22 February 2017}}

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in their first ever open acknowledgement in 2011 in US Court, said that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) sponsors and oversees separatist militant groups in Kashmir.{{cite web |date=21 July 2011 |title=ISI sponsors terror activities in Kashmir, FBI tells US court |url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/isi-sponsors-terror-activities-in-kashmir-fbi-tells-us-court-46038.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145916/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/isi-sponsors-terror-activities-in-kashmir-fbi-tells-us-court-46038.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=1 April 2015 |work=Firstpost}}{{cite news |last1=Rajghatta |first1=Chidanand |date=20 July 2011 |title=US exposes ISI subversion of Kashmir issue; FBI arrests US-based lobbyist |newspaper=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-exposes-ISI-subversion-of-Kashmir-issue-FBI-arrests-US-based-lobbyist/articleshow/9294830.cms |url-status=live |access-date=22 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812140040/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-exposes-ISI-subversion-of-Kashmir-issue-FBI-arrests-US-based-lobbyist/articleshow/9294830.cms |archive-date=12 August 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Himani |date=7 June 2011 |title=ISI gives arms to Kashmir terrorists: Rana to FBI |work=Rediff.com |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-isi-gives-arms-to-kashmiri-terrorists-rana-to-fbi/20110607.htm |url-status=live |access-date=22 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805015010/http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-isi-gives-arms-to-kashmiri-terrorists-rana-to-fbi/20110607.htm |archive-date=5 August 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Agencies |date=20 July 2011 |title=ISI funneled millions to influence US policy on Kashmir: FBI |newspaper=The Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/isi-funneled-millions-to-influence-us-policy-on-kashmir-fbi/819859/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 February 2017 |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20170224070053/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/isi-funneled-millions-to-influence-us-policy-on-kashmir-fbi/819859/ |archive-date=24 February 2017}}

In 2019, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan publicly discouraged Pakistani people from going to Kashmir to do a jihad. People who went to Kashmir will do an "injustice to the Kashmiri people".{{cite news |date=18 September 2019 |title='Historic day': PM Imran inaugurates 24/7 border crossing at Torkham |language=en |work=DAWN.COM |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1505914 |access-date=27 November 2019 |archive-date=23 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523151227/https://www.dawn.com/news/1505914 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Puri |first1=Luv |date=27 November 2019 |title=The many faces of Pakistani Punjab's militancy |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-many-faces-of-pakistani-punjabs-militancy/article30090521.ece |access-date=27 November 2019 |archive-date=19 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119102300/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-many-faces-of-pakistani-punjabs-militancy/article30090521.ece |url-status=live }} Most of the Pakistani militants who had crossed the border over the years and were caught by the Indian security forces were found to belong to the Punjab province of Pakistan.

= Mujahideen influence =

After the Mujahideen victory in the Soviet–Afghan War, Mujahideen militants, under the Operation Tupac with the aid of Pakistan, slowly infiltrated Kashmir with the goal of spreading a radical Islamist ideology to wage Jihad against India in the region.

= Religion =

The majority of the people of Jammu and Kashmir practise Islam. Indian-American journalist Asra Nomani states that while India itself is a secular state, Muslims are politically, culturally and economically marginalised when compared to Hindus in India as a whole. The government's decision to transfer 99 acres of forest land near the Amarnath Temple in Kashmir division to a Hindu organisation (for setting up temporary shelters and facilities for Hindu pilgrims) solidified this feeling and led to one of the largest protest rallies in Jammu and Kashmir.

{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailyo.in/politics/jammu-and-kashmir-afspa-hizbul-mujahideen-lashkar-e-taiba-pakistan-ghar-wapsi-jihad-hindutva/story/1/5698.html|title=Five reasons behind radicalisation in Kashmir|last=Gowhar Geelani|website=www.dailyo.in|access-date=2017-05-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309014546/http://www.dailyo.in/politics/jammu-and-kashmir-afspa-hizbul-mujahideen-lashkar-e-taiba-pakistan-ghar-wapsi-jihad-hindutva/story/1/5698.html|archive-date=9 March 2017}}

= Other motivations =

== Psychological ==

Psychologist Waheeda Khan, explaining the rebellious nature of the Kashmiris, says that because of the tense situations in the valley from the 1990s, the generation gap between parents and young generations has increased. Young generations tend to blame their parents for failing to do anything about the political situation. So they start experimenting with their own aggressive ways to show their curbed feelings and would go against any authority. A prominent psychiatrist of the valley, Margoob, described that children/teenagers are much more vulnerable to passionate actions and reactions, since the young minds are yet to completely develop psychological mechanisms. When they assume that they are "pushed against the wall", they get controlled by the emotions without bothering about the consequences. Also young people easily identify themselves with the "group" rather than with their individual identities. It leads to psychological distress which causes antisocial behaviour and aggressive attitude. Often, this situation gets worsened by the availability of weapons and people becoming familiar to violence after having exposed to conflict for so long. Waheeda Khan remarks, the major concern is that generations of children who are experiencing long-term violence in their lives, may reach adulthood perceiving that violence is a fair means of solving ethnic, religious, or political differences.{{sfn|Waheeda Khan, Conflict in Kashmir|2015|p=90, 91}}

==Economic==

High unemployment and lack of economic opportunities in Kashmir are also said to have intensified the struggle.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-40008876|title=Indian award for Kashmir 'human shield' officer|date=2017-05-23|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-05-23|language=en-GB|quote=High unemployment and complaints of heavy-handed tactics by security forces battling street protesters and fighting insurgents have aggravated the problem.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523075335/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-40008876|archive-date=23 May 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/unemployment-a-reason-for-surge-in-jk-violence/articleshow/51849148.cms|title=Unemployment a reason for surge in J&K violence? |work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-05-24|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104114/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/unemployment-a-reason-for-surge-in-jk-violence/articleshow/51849148.cms|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/Understanding-Kashmirs-stone-pelters/article16120870.ece|title=Understanding Kashmir's stone pelters|last=Parthasarathy|first=Malini|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-05-24|language=en|quote=The protesters on the streets...(are) frustrated at the lack of employment and economic opportunities. It is not hard to see where the frustration of the educated Kashmiri youth comes from. On the one hand, they are told that they are Indian citizens but they are shut out of the narrative of India as an emerging economic power. With mobile phones and internet communication being restricted, their sense of participation in the larger Indian discourse is sharply reduced.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429233249/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/Understanding-Kashmirs-stone-pelters/article16120870.ece|archive-date=29 April 2018}}

Stone pelting

{{Main|Stone Pelting in Kashmir}}

Following the 2008 protests and 2010 unrest, the turmoil took on a new dimension when people, particularly young people of the Kashmir valley began pelting stones on security forces to express their aggression and protest for the loss of freedom. In turn they get attacked by the armed personnel with pellets, rubber bullets, sling shots and tear gas shells. This leads to eye-injuries and several other kind of injuries to many people. Security forces also face injuries, and sometimes get beaten up during these events. According to Waheeda Khan, most of the 'stone-pelters' are school and college going students. Large number of these people get arrested during these events for allegedly resorting to stone pelting, after which some of them are also tortured. According to political activist Mannan Bukhari, Kashmiris made stone, an easily accessible and defenseless weapon, their weapon of choice for protest.{{harvnb|Waheeda Khan, Conflict in Kashmir|2015|p=88}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=43ZJCgAAQBAJ&q=kashmir+stone+pelting&pg=PT44|title=Kashmir - Scars of Pellet Gun: The Brutal Face of Suppression|last=Bukhari|first=Mannan|date=2015-07-28|publisher=Partridge Publishing|isbn=9781482850062|pages=44|language=en|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104718/https://books.google.com/books?id=43ZJCgAAQBAJ&q=kashmir+stone+pelting&pg=PT44|url-status=live}}

Kashmiri senior journalist Parvaiz Bukhari remarked:{{Cite web|url=http://www.kashmirlife.net/summers-of-unrest-challenging-india-1089/|title=Summers of Unrest Challenging India|website=www.kashmirlife.net|language=en-GB|date=20 December 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012061809/http://kashmirlife.net/summers-of-unrest-challenging-india-1089/|archive-date=12 October 2017}}

The summer of 2010 witnessed a convulsion in the world's most militarized zone, the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir, an unprecedented and deadly civil unrest that is beginning to change a few things on the ground. [...] Little known and relatively anonymous resistance activists emerged, organizing an unarmed agitation more fierce than the armed rebellion against Indian rule two decades earlier. And apparently aware of the post 9/11 world, young Kashmiris, children of the conflict, made stones and rocks a weapon of choice against government armed forces, side-stepping the tag of a terrorist movement linked with Pakistan. The unrest represents a conscious transition to an unarmed mass movement, one that poses a moral challenge to New Delhi's military domination over the region.

Human rights abuses by militants and army

{{further|Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir|Rape in Kashmir conflict#Rape by militants}}

{{See also|Ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus}}

Islamic separatist militants are accused of violence against the Kashmir populace.{{cite news|title=Four killed in Kashmir bomb blast|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4698705.stm|access-date=22 February 2017|work=BBC News|date=20 July 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825041916/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4698705.stm|archive-date=25 August 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Mushtaq|first1=Sheikh|title=Ten Killed in Kashmir Car Bomb Blast|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=82930|access-date=24 February 2017|publisher=ABC News|archive-date=29 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429233249/http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=82930|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/kpsgill/2003/chapter9.htm |title=K P S Gill: The Kashmiri Pandits: An Ethnic Cleansing the World Forgot – Islamist Extremism & Terrorism in South Asia |work=satp.org |access-date=25 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309001010/http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/kpsgill/2003/chapter9.htm |archive-date=9 March 2009}} On the other hand, the Indian army has also allegedly committed serious crimes like using pellet guns, torture, murder and rape, though many such incidents were subject to legal proceedings. The militants have kidnapped and killed many civil servants and suspected informers. Tens of thousands of Kashmiri Pandits have been forced to emigrate as a result of continued violence by the majority. Estimates of the displaced vary from 170,000 to 700,000. Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits had to move to Jammu because of targeted attacks by Islamic radical organizations.Alexander Evans, A departure from history: Kashmiri Pandits, 1990–2001, Contemporary South Asia (Volume 11, Number 1, 1 March 2002, pp. 19–37)

= Notable insurgencies =

  • Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus
  • July and August 1989 – Three CRPF personnel and politician Mohd. Yusuf Halwai of NC/F were killed.{{cite web|url=http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/basicfacts/politics/political_history.html|title=Chronicle of Important events/date in J&K's political history|work=jammu-kashmir.com|access-date=25 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614030618/http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/basicfacts/politics/political_history.html|archive-date=14 June 2015}}
  • 1989 kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed daughter of the then Home Minister of India Mufti Sayeed.
  • Gawkadal massacre- Central Reserve Police Force opened fire on a group of Kashmiri protestors, killing 50.{{Cite web|date=2005-05-01|title=Kashmir's first blood|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/kashmirs-first-blood/|access-date=2021-09-09|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=9 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909115900/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/kashmirs-first-blood/|url-status=live}}
  • Sopore massacre- Killing of 55 Kashmiri civilians by Border security force(BSF)
  • Bijbehara massacre- Massacre of 51 protestors by BSF.
  • 1995 kidnapping of western tourists in Jammu and Kashmir – Six foreign trekkers from Anantnag district were kidnapped by Al Faran. One was beheaded later, one escaped, and the other four remain missing, presumably killed.
  • 1997 Sangrampora massacre – On 22 March 1997, seven Kashmiri Pandits were killed in Sangrampora village in the Budgam district.{{cite web|url=http://www.kashmiri-pandit.org/atrocities/sangrampura.html |title=Sangrampora killings |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050415043415/http://www.kashmiri-pandit.org/atrocities/sangrampura.html |archive-date=15 April 2005 }}
  • Wandhama massacre – In January 1998, 24 Kashmiri Pandits living in the village of Wandhama were massacred by Pakistani militants. According to the testimony of one of the survivors, the militants dressed themselves as officers of the Indian Army, entered their houses and then started firing blindly. The incident was significant because it coincided with former US president Bill Clinton's visit to India and New Delhi highlighted the massacre to prove Pakistan-supported militancy in Kashmir .{{cite web |url=http://www.subcontinent.com/sapra/terrorism/tr_1998_01_002_s.html |title=Wandhama Massacre report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/19991009122607/http://www.subcontinent.com/sapra/terrorism/tr_1998_01_002_s.html |archive-date=9 October 1999 |access-date=29 May 2005 }}
  • 1998 Prankote massacre – 26 Hindu villagers of Udhampur district were killed by militants.
  • 1998 Champanari massacre – 25 Hindu villagers killed on 19 June 1998 by Islamic militants.
  • 2000 Amarnath pilgrimage massacre – 30 Hindu pilgrims massacred by militants.
  • Chittisinghpura massacre – 36 Sikhs massacred by LeT militants though some allegations on Indian security forces exist too. (unclear)
  • 2001 Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly bombing – On 1 October 2001, a bombing at the Legislative Assembly in Srinagar killed 38.{{cite news|last1=Dugger|first1=Celia W.|title=Pakistan Asks India to Revive Talks Aimed at Bringing Peace to Kashmir|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/09/world/pakistan-asks-india-to-revive-talks-aimed-at-bringing-peace-to-kashmir.html|access-date=23 February 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|date=9 October 2001|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223131222/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/09/world/pakistan-asks-india-to-revive-talks-aimed-at-bringing-peace-to-kashmir.html|archive-date=23 February 2017}}
  • 2002 Raghunath temple attacks – An attack occurred on 30 March 2002 when two suicide bombers attacked the temple. Eleven persons including three security forces personnel were killed and 20 were injured. In second attack, the fidayeen suicide squad attacked the temple second time on 24 November 2002 when two suicide bombers stormed the temple and killed fourteen devotees and injured 45 others.
  • 2002 Qasim Nagar massacre – On 13 July 2002, armed militants believed to be a part of the Lashkar-e-Toiba threw hand grenades at the Qasim Nagar market in Srinagar and then fired on civilians standing nearby killing 27 and injuring many more.{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/wr2k3/asia6.html |title=Human Rights Watch World Report 2003: India |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006054544/http://www.hrw.org/wr2k3/asia6.html |archive-date=6 October 2010}}
  • 2003 Nadimarg Massacre – 24 Hindus killed in Nadimarg, Kashmir on 23 March 2003 by Lashkar-e-Taiba militants.
  • 20 July 2005 Srinagar bombing – A car bomb exploded near an armoured Indian Army vehicle in the famous Church Lane area in Srinagar killing 4 Indian Army personnel, one civilian and the suicide bomber. Militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, claimed responsibility for the attack.{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=Ceasefire&slug=Car+bomb+attack+in+Srinagar%2C+6+killed&id=17351&callid=0&category=National |title=20 July 2005 Srinagar attack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051118091346/http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=ceasefire |archive-date=18 November 2005}}
  • Budshah Chowk attack – A militant attack on 29 July 2005 at Srinigar's city centre, Budshah Chowk, killed 2 and left more than 17 people injured. Most of those injured were media journalists.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1445705,000900010002.htm |title=July 29 attack in Srinagar |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303044412/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1445705%2C000900010002.htm |archive-date=3 March 2007}}
  • Assassination of Ghulam Nabi Lone – On 18 October 2005, suspected Kashmiri militants killed Jammu and Kashmir's then education minister Ghulam Nabi Lone. Militant group called Al Mansurin claimed responsibility for the attack.{{cite news|title=Kashmir minister killed in attack|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4351950.stm|access-date=22 February 2017|work=BBC News|date=18 October 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222122343/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4351950.stm|archive-date=22 February 2017}} Abdul Ghani Lone, a prominent All Party Hurriyat Conference leader, was assassinated by unidentified gunmen during a memorial rally in Srinagar. The assassination resulted in wide-scale demonstrations against the Indian forces for failing to provide enough security cover for Lone.
  • 2006 Doda massacre – On 3 May 2006, militants massacred 35 Hindus in Doda and Udhampur districts in Jammu and Kashmir.{{cite news|last1=Tribune News Service|title=Phagwara observes bandh over J&K massacre|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060504/jal.htm#4|access-date=22 February 2017|newspaper=The Tribune|date=4 May 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012070828/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060504/jal.htm#4|archive-date=12 October 2017}}
  • On 12 June 2006, one person was killed and 31 were wounded when militants hurled three grenades on Vaishnodevi shrine-bound buses at the general bus stand.{{cite news|last1=Sharma|first1=S.P.|title=Terror in Jammu, Anantnag|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060613/main1.htm|access-date=22 February 2017|newspaper=The Tribune|date=13 June 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001103659/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060613/main1.htm|archive-date=1 October 2017}}
  • 2014 Kashmir Valley attacks – There were four attacks on 5 December 2014 on army, police and civilians resulted in 21 deaths and several injured. Their motive was to disrupt the ongoing assembly elections.{{cite web|title=Multiple attacks rock Kashmir Valley|website=The Hindu: Mobile Edition|date=5 December 2014|url=http://m.thehindu.com/news/national/militants-attack-army-camp-at-mohra-near-uri-border-town-in-kashmir/article6664357.ece/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141224205414/http://m.thehindu.com/news/national/militants-attack-army-camp-at-mohra-near-uri-border-town-in-kashmir/article6664357.ece/|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 December 2014|access-date=24 December 2014}}
  • 2016 Uri attack – Four armed militants sneaked into an army camp and lobbed grenades onto tents causing massive fire culminating in the death of 19 military personnel.
  • 2018 Sunjuwan attack - On 10 February 2018, Jaish-e-Mohammad militants attacked Sunjuwan Army Camp in Jammu and Kashmir. 6 Indian army soldiers, 4 militants, 1 civilian died and 11 were injured.
  • 2019 Pulwama attack - On 14 February 2019, Jaish-e-Mohammad militants attacked a convoy of CRPF men, killing 46 personnel and injuring 20.

Tactics

= India =

The Indian government has increasingly relied on military presence to control the insurgency. The military has allegedly committed human rights violations. The government would often dissolve assemblies, arrest elected politicians and impose president's rule. The government also rigged elections in 1987. In recent times there have been signs that the government is taking local elections more seriously. The government has also funneled development aid to Kashmir and Kashmir has now become the biggest per capita receiver of Federal aid.

= Pakistan =

The Pakistani central government originally supported, trained and armed the insurgency in Kashmir,{{cite news|title=Afzal Guru's confession: I helped them, took training in Pak|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/WOR-TOP-afzal-guru---s-confession-i-helped-them-took-training-in-pak-4175799-NOR.html|access-date=19 April 2015|publisher=DAILY BHASKAR|date=10 February 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124224/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/WOR-TOP-afzal-guru---s-confession-i-helped-them-took-training-in-pak-4175799-NOR.html|archive-date=2 April 2015}} sometimes known as "ultras" (extremists),{{cite news|author=Agencies |date=6 April 2012 |title=Attempts will be made to push ultras across LoC: Army |newspaper=Indian Express |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/attempts-will-be-made-to-push-ultras-across-loc-army/933432/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140107184502/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/attempts-will-be-made-to-push-ultras-across-loc-army/933432/ |archive-date=7 January 2014 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Press Trust of India |date=7 January 2014 |title=Militants, Army troopers exchange fire in Pulwama, none hurt |newspaper=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Militants-Army-troopers-exchange-fire-in-Pulwama-none-hurt/articleshow/28522668.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140107184652/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Militants-Army-troopers-exchange-fire-in-Pulwama-none-hurt/articleshow/28522668.cms |archive-date=7 January 2014 |url-status=live}} however after groups linked to the Kashmiri insurgency twice attempted to assassinate president Pervez Musharraf, Musharraf decided to end support for such groups. His successor, Asif Ali Zardari has continued the policy, calling insurgents in Kashmir "terrorists".

But the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence hasn't followed the lead of the government and has continued its support for insurgent groups in Kashmir In 2008, 541 people died due to insurgency, The Economist called it the lowest in two decades. The report cited a reduction in the support for militants by Pakistan and war fatigue among the Kashmiris as the reasons for the reduction in casualty figures.

= Insurgents =

After around 2000, the insurgency became far less violent and has instead taken on the form of protests and marches. Certain groups have also chosen to lay down their arms and look for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

= Groups =

The different insurgent groups have different aims in Kashmir. Some want complete independence from both India and Pakistan, others want unification with Pakistan and still others just want greater autonomy from the Indian government.

A 2010 survey found that 43% of the people in J&K and 44% of the people in AJK would favour complete independence from both India and Pakistan, with support for the independence movement unevenly distributed across the region.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Just-2-of-people-in-JK-want-to-join-Pak-Survey/articleshow/5982710.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140114082544/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-28/india/28318260_1_favoured-budgam-plebiscite|url-status=live|archive-date=14 January 2014|title=Just 2% of people in J&K want to join Pak: Survey|work=The Times of India|date=28 May 2010 |access-date=25 June 2015}}

Militant groups

Over the last two years, the militant group, Lashkar-e-Toiba has split into two factions: Al Mansurin and Al Nasirin. Another new group reported to have emerged is the "Save Kashmir Movement". Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (formerly known as Harkat-ul-Ansar) and Lashkar-e-Toiba are believed to be operating from Muzaffarabad, and Muridke, Pakistan respectively. {{Cite news |date=2024-04-16 |title=Shocked by Amir Sarfaraz's killing, LeT calls emergency meet |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/shocked-by-elimination-let-calls-emergency-meet/articleshow/109323995.cms |access-date=2024-06-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

Other less well known groups are the Freedom Force and Farzandan-e-Milat. A smaller group, Al-Badr, has been active in Kashmir for many years and is still believed to be functioning. All Parties Hurriyat Conference, an organisation that uses moderate means to press for the rights of the Kashmiris, is often considered as the mediator between New Delhi and insurgent groups. {{Cite web |date=2015-08-31 |title=Hurriyat: Its History, Role and Relevance |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/hurriyat-its-history-role-and-relevance/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

= Al-Qaeda =

It is unclear if Al Qaeda has a presence in Jammu and Kashmir. Donald Rumsfeld suggested that they were active and in 2002 the SAS hunted for Osama bin Laden in Jammu and Kashmir. Al Qaeda claims that it has established a base in Jammu and Kashmir. However, there has been no evidence for any of these assertions. The Indian army also claims that there is no evidence of Al Qaeda presence in Jammu and Kashmir. Al Qaeda has established bases in Pakistani administered Kashmir and some, including Robert Gates have suggested that they have helped to plan attacks in India.

Casualties

According to government data, around 41,000 people—consisting of 14,000 civilians, 5,000 security personnel and 22,000 militants—have died because of the insurgency {{As of|2017|March|lc=y}} in both Kashmir Valley and Jammu region. The overwhelming majority of these deaths happened in the 1990s and early 2000s, and there has been a steady decline in violence and sharp drop in the number of deaths 2004 onwards.{{Cite news|url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-anatomy-of-kashmir-militancy-in-numbers/story-UncrzPTGhN22Uf1HHe64JJ_amp.html |title= 41,000 deaths in 27 years: The anatomy of Kashmir militancy in numbers

|author1=Jayanth Jacob |author2=Aurangzeb Naqshbandi |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=18 May 2023 |language=en-IN}} A 2006 report by Human Rights Watch claimed that at least 20,000 civilians had died in the conflict by then.{{cite report| url= https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/india0906web.pdf |title= Everyone Lives in Fear: Patterns of Impunity in Jammu and Kashmir |publisher=Human Rights Watch |date=September 2006 |page=1}} The territory witnessed about 69,820 militancy-related incidents till March 2017. Among the militants killed between 1989 and 2002, about 3,000 were from outside Jammu and Kashmir (mostly from Pakistan and some Afghans). Indian forces engaged in counter insurgency operations captured around 40,000 firearms, 150,000 explosive devices, and over 6 million rounds of assorted ammunition during this period.{{cite book | last = Bose | first = Sumantra | title = Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace | publisher = Harvard University Press | url = https://www.questia.com/read/118148594/kashmir-roots-of-conflict-paths-to-peace | date = 2003 | page = 3 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171012061143/https://www.questia.com/read/118148594/kashmir-roots-of-conflict-paths-to-peace | archive-date = 12 October 2017}} Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society posits a figure of 70,000 deaths, most of them civilians.{{Cite news|url=https://kashmirobserver.net/2016/local-news/karadzic-prosecute-all-accused-hr-violations-kashmir-jkccs-4777|title=Like Karadzic, Prosecute All Accused of HR Violations in Kashmir: JKCCS|work=Kashmir Observer|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016071013/https://kashmirobserver.net/2016/local-news/karadzic-prosecute-all-accused-hr-violations-kashmir-jkccs-4777|archive-date=16 October 2017|access-date=19 October 2017}} The pro-Pakistan Huriyat group has claimed a higher death toll of 80,000 including civilians, security forces and militants.{{citation |author=Sumantra Bose |title=Kashmir : roots of conflict, paths to peace |year=2003 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=0-674-01173-2 |page=4}} The districts with the most incidents of killing were Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Doda, Anantnag and Pulwama.{{Cite web|title=datasheet-terrorist-attack-fatalities|url=https://www.satp.org/datasheet-terrorist-attack/fatalities/india-jammukashmir|access-date=2022-02-12|website=www.satp.org|archive-date=31 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131101210/https://www.satp.org/datasheet-terrorist-attack/fatalities/india-jammukashmir|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable sortable"

|+Casualties every year in the Jammu and Kahmir insurgency (since 2007)

!Year

!Incidents of Killing

!Civilians

!Security Forces

!Militants

!Total

2007

|427

|127

|119

|498

|744

2008

|261

|71

|85

|382

|538

2009

|208

|53

|73

|247

|373

2010

|189

|34

|69

|258

|361

2011

|119

|33

|31

|117

|181

2012

|70

|19

|18

|84

|121

2013

|84

|19

|53

|100

|172

2014

|91

|28

|47

|114

|189

2015

|86

|19

|41

|115

|175

2016

|112

|14

|88

|165

|267

2017

|163

|54

|83

|220

|357

2018

|206

|86

|95

|271

|452

2019

|135

|42

|78

|163

|283

2020

|140

|33

|56

|232

|321

2021

|153

|36

|45

|193

|274

2022

|151

|30

|30

|193

|253

Surrender and rehabilitation policy

Surrendering in Jammu and Kashmir has been institutionalized over the years.{{Cite web|last=Kakar|first=Harsha|date=24 November 2017|title=Why Kashmir needs much more than surrender appeals|url=https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/kashmir-needs-more-than-surrender-appeals/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=ORF|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020015417/https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/kashmir-needs-more-than-surrender-appeals/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Malik|first=Irfan Amin|date=2020-11-25|title=Will Army's Draft 'Surrender Policy' In J&K Help Combat Militancy?|url=https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/kashmir-valley-militants-indian-army-security-forces-draft-surrender-policy-jammu-kashmir-police-shopian-fake-encounter|access-date=2021-10-16|website=TheQuint|language=en|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020031915/https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/kashmir-valley-militants-indian-army-security-forces-draft-surrender-policy-jammu-kashmir-police-shopian-fake-encounter|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Yasir|first=Sameer|date=2017-10-16|title=Jammu and Kashmir security forces' new appeal to militants: Surrender, come home and rejoin society|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir-security-forces-new-appeal-to-militants-surrender-come-home-and-rejoin-society-4148277.html|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Firstpost|language=en|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020044257/https://www.firstpost.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir-security-forces-new-appeal-to-militants-surrender-come-home-and-rejoin-society-4148277.html|url-status=live}} The 1990s saw some surrender policies, while in the 2000s, there was a policy for militants belonging to Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir and another for Pakistan administered territory. The first surrender policy for militants in Kashmir was launched on 15 August 1995. It was a copy of the policies already there for Naxalites.{{Cite web|last=Kartha|first=Tara|date=5 June 2018|title=New Age Militancy – Kashmir Youth Need Policies Encouraging Change, Not Surrender|url=https://thewire.in/rights/kashmir-militancy-surrender-policy|access-date=2021-10-20|website=The Wire|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420105454/https://thewire.in/rights/kashmir-militancy-surrender-policy|url-status=live}}

= Appeals to surrender =

Appeals to surrender are made by security forces to militants at encounter sites as well.{{Cite news|last=Ashiq|first=Peerzada|date=2021-01-30|title=Two Hizb militants 'motivated' to surrender|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/2-trapped-militants-surrender-one-injured-shifted-at-pulwama-encounter-site/article33701358.ece|access-date=2021-10-16|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019144747/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/2-trapped-militants-surrender-one-injured-shifted-at-pulwama-encounter-site/article33701358.ece|url-status=live}} Some attempts are successful,{{Cite news|last=IANS|date=2020-12-22|title=Two terrorists surrender during encounter with security forces in Kashmir|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/two-terrorists-surrender-during-encounter-with-security-forces-in-kashmir-120122200169_1.html|access-date=2021-10-16|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019111539/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/two-terrorists-surrender-during-encounter-with-security-forces-in-kashmir-120122200169_1.html|url-status=live}} while others are not.{{Cite web|date=6 May 2021|title=J-K: Surrendered militant urged companions to surrender, they refused and get killed in encounter|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/j-k-surrendered-militant-urged-companions-to-surrender-they-refused-and-killed/videoshow/82429458.cms|access-date=2021-10-16|website=The Economic Times|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016142911/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/j-k-surrendered-militant-urged-companions-to-surrender-they-refused-and-killed/videoshow/82429458.cms|url-status=live}} Mothers and other family members have made videos urging their child turned militant to surrender to the security forces. Sometimes the family member is brought to the encounter site and urged to talk to their children through loudspeakers to surrender.{{Cite web|last=Islah|first=Mufti|date=2021-03-22|title='Missing You': A Kashmiri Child's Plea to Holed up Militant Father Fails, Body Found after Encounter|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/kashmir-shopian-encounter-child-appeal-surrender-militant-holed-up-death-3562604.html|access-date=2021-10-16|website=News18|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019193812/https://www.news18.com/news/india/kashmir-shopian-encounter-child-appeal-surrender-militant-holed-up-death-3562604.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Masood|first=Bashaarat|date=2021-03-23|title=Four militants killed; ignored pleas from family: police|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/four-let-militants-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-in-j-ks-shopian-7240080/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019160245/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/four-let-militants-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-in-j-ks-shopian-7240080/|url-status=live}}

See also

References

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

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Swami, Praveen.India, Pakistan and the Secret Jihad. 2006.

{{cite news|last1=Hussain|first1=Altaf|title=Kashmir's flawed elections|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2223364.stm|access-date=22 February 2017|work=BBC News|date=14 September 2002|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226225810/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2223364.stm|archive-date=26 February 2017}}

{{cite news|title=Kashmir insurgency|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/south_asia/2002/india_pakistan/timeline/1989.stm|access-date=21 February 2017|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222035446/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/south_asia/2002/india_pakistan/timeline/1989.stm|archive-date=22 February 2017}}

Jamar, Arif. The untold story of Jihad in Kashmir. 2009.

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{{citation |title=India's leader makes peace overtures in Kashmir |newspaper=The Times |date=18 November 2004 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article392432.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523122550/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article392432.ece |archive-date=23 May 2011}}: "Military experts estimate that India has about 250,000 troops in the region."Human Rights Watch, Patricia Gossman. "India's secret army in Kashmir : new patterns of abuse emerge in the conflict ", 1996

{{cite news|last1=Yardley|first1=Jim|title=India Reopens Kashmir's Schools, but Many Stay Away|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/world/asia/28kashmir.html|access-date=22 February 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|date=27 September 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222113514/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/world/asia/28kashmir.html|archive-date=22 February 2017}}

{{citation |last=Pallone |first=Frank |title=Resolution condemning Human Rights Violations against Kashmiri Pandits |url=http://www.house.gov/list/press/nj06_pallone/pr_feb15_kashmir.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810032903/http://www.house.gov/list/press/nj06_pallone/pr_feb15_kashmir.html |archive-date=10 August 2009 |publisher=US House of Representatives |date=15 February 2006 }}

{{cite news|last1=Ramaseshan|first1=Radhika|title=Cong dilemma: young Omar or PDP|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1081230/jsp/nation/story_10319531.jsp|access-date=23 February 2017|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=30 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223212047/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1081230/jsp/nation/story_10319531.jsp|archive-date=23 February 2017}}

{{cite news|last1=Nomani|first1=Asra Q.|title=Muslims -- India's new 'untouchables'|url=https://www.latimes.com/la-oe-nomani1-2008dec01-story.html|access-date=22 February 2017|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=1 December 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111942/http://www.latimes.com/la-oe-nomani1-2008dec01-story.html|archive-date=22 February 2017}}

Sanghvi, Vir {{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Think-the-Unthinkable/Article1-331689.aspx |title=Think the Unthinkable - Hindustan Times |access-date=2010-12-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208001159/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Think-the-Unthinkable/Article1-331689.aspx |archive-date=8 February 2011}} "Think the unthinkable" Hindustan Times, August 2008

{{cite magazine|last1=Thottam|first1=Jyoti|title=Valley of Tears|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1838586,00.html|access-date=22 February 2017|magazine=Time|date=4 September 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124194816/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1838586,00.html|archive-date=24 January 2017}}

{{cite news|title=The Future of Kashmir?|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/south_asia/03/kashmir_future/html/|access-date=22 February 2017|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319084333/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/south_asia/03/kashmir_future/html/|archive-date=19 March 2017}}

Bradnock, Robert "Kashmir: Paths to Peace" Chatham House, London, 2008

{{cite news|last1=Abbas|first1=Zaffar|title=Analysis: Is al-Qaeda in Kashmir?|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/2043800.stm|access-date=22 February 2017|work=BBC News|date=13 June 2002|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229210916/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/2043800.stm|archive-date=29 December 2016}}

{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Michael|title=SAS joins Kashmir hunt for bin Laden|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/1385795/SAS-joins-Kashmir-hunt-for-bin-Laden.html|access-date=21 February 2017|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=23 February 2002|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315031644/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/1385795/SAS-joins-Kashmir-hunt-for-bin-Laden.html|archive-date=15 March 2017}}

International Herald Tribune.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060721072906/http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07/13/news/india.php] "Al Qaeda Claim of Kashmiri Link Worries India"

The Hindu.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/18/stories/2007061801191400.htm |title=No al Qaeda presence in Kashmir: Army |date=18 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411003850/http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/18/stories/2007061801191400.htm |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-date=11 April 2010}} "No Al Qaeda presence in Kashmir: Army"

{{cite news|last1=Smucker|first1=Phillip|title=Al Qaeda thriving in Pakistani Kashmir|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0702/p01s02-wosc.html|access-date=21 February 2017|newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|date=2 July 2002|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111054702/http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0702/p01s02-wosc.html|archive-date=11 January 2017}}

Dawn. [https://www.dawn.com/news/917182/al-qaeda-could-provoke-new-india-pakistan-war-gates "Al Qaeda could provoke new India-Pakistan war: Gates"], January 20, 2010

Gupta, Amit; Leather, Kaia.[https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:lnhk5esbgrkJ:fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/13390.pdf+kashmir+insurgents+lay+down+arms&hl=en&gl=de&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShAKwH9pVW16YC2-dyX6RP_KYtdoG3X7iD1GKwTxaO0O1l4JdLMf_wKYEJVQ_LinyIgx2I0TWSQAxl2oc8OSyUWAIBHSyTHuVs8XTVkGhMaBsvXUMUfvxddyygReETuQKp4mTjA&sig=AHIEtbQWdbVbaShVvuAURLFsmBS-IR4gog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330001714/https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache%3Alnhk5esbgrkJ%3Afpc.state.gov%2Fdocuments%2Forganization%2F13390.pdf%20kashmir%20insurgents%20lay%20down%20arms&hl=en&gl=de&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShAKwH9pVW16YC2-dyX6RP_KYtdoG3X7iD1GKwTxaO0O1l4JdLMf_wKYEJVQ_LinyIgx2I0TWSQAxl2oc8OSyUWAIBHSyTHuVs8XTVkGhMaBsvXUMUfvxddyygReETuQKp4mTjA&sig=AHIEtbQWdbVbaShVvuAURLFsmBS-IR4gog |date=30 March 2017 }} "Kashmir: Recent Developments and US Concerns", June 2002

}}

Bibliography

  • {{cite journal |last1=Evans |first1=Alexander |title=A departure from history: Kashmiri Pandits, 1990–2001 |journal=Contemporary South Asia |volume=11 |issue=1 |year=2002 |pages=19–37 |issn=0958-4935 |doi=10.1080/0958493022000000341 |s2cid=145573161}}
  • {{citation |last=Khan |first=Waheeda |chapter=Conflict in Kashmir: Psychosocial Consequences on Children |editor=Sibnath Deb |title=Child Safety, Welfare and Well-being: Issues and Challenges |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BvpUCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA83 |date=2015 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-81-322-2425-9 |pages=83–93 |ref={{sfnref|Waheeda Khan, Conflict in Kashmir|2015}}}}

{{Jammu and Kashmir freedom movement}}

{{Indo-Pakistani relations}}

{{Military of India}}

{{Post-Cold War Asian conflicts}}

Category:Uprisings of the Kashmir conflict

Category:Guerrilla wars

Category:Kashmir conflict

Category:Proxy wars

Category:Islamist insurgencies