Kashmir

On 8 July 2016, Burhan Wani, a 22 year-old leader of the armed group Hizbul Mujahedin, was killed by the security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir. Wani had been highly active on social media and had been called a “Twitter terrorist”. Tens of thousands attended his funeral, at which clashes broke out between the security forces and protestors. The security forces fired live ammunition into the crowd, killing several people. One police officer was also killed.

Since Wani’s death, the Kashmir Valley has seen its biggest outbreak of protest and violence since 2010. The authorities have declared a succession of curfews and closed down mobile phone services and the media. Protestors have organised a series of general strikes and there have been regular public rallies against Indian rule. Schools, colleges and universities have also been closed. The economy has been badly hit. Funerals have often led to further clashes between protestors and the security forces. Many civilians have been killed, injured (including through the use of pellet guns by the authorities) or arrested. Armed militants have increased their attacks on the security forces. In September 2016 an attack on an army base killed 19 Indian soldiers – the army’s worst loss of life for well over a decade.

There has also been a serious flaring up of tension between India and Pakistan, with regular exchanges between their forces along the Line of Control. These have led to significant military casualties. Senior figures on both sides have been ratcheting up the hostile rhetoric, leading to growing fears of a major escalation in conflict between the two countries.