Terrorism in Kashmir

Terrorism in Kashmir has existed in various forms, mainly in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian-controlled side of the disputed territory of Kashmir, which has been the target of a campaign of terrorism and militancy by all sides of the conflict. Thousands of lives have been lost since 1989 due both, to the intensified insurgency and the Indian military. Those dead include civilians, Indian security forces, Kashmiri and non Kashmiri separatist militants.

Background of Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir was a princely state with a Muslim majority ruled by a Hindu Maharaja (king) Hari Singh until 1947.

1947
Jammu and Kashmir, was a principality lying between the two new independent nations: Republic of India and Islamic Republic of Pakistan which were formed due to the partition of the former British India colony in August 1947. A total of 565 princely states formed 40% of India’s land area and held more than 100 million people. Each prince had to decide which of the two new nations to join: Hindu-majority India or Muslim-majority Pakistan (which then also included East Pakistan, now Bangladesh).

The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, could not decide which country to join and in addition, he nursed fond hopes of remaining the princely ruler of Kashmir, as an independent nation. He was Hindu, while his subjects were predominantly Muslim. To avoid the decision, he signed a “standstill” agreement with Pakistan, which ensured continuity of trade, travel, communication, and similar services between the two. India did not sign a similar agreement.

After Indian forces gained control over two other princely states, Hyderabad and Junagadh, Indian postal services began listing Kashmir as Indian territory, causing alarm in Pakistan. In October 1947, Pashtuns from Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province invaded Kashmir in support of a rebellion agaist the Maharaja which had erupted in the restive Poonch district. The invasion caused widespread looting in the state.

Troubled by the increasing deterioration in law and order situation, and by earlier raids, culminating in the invasion of the tribesmen, followed later by Pakistani rangers, Maharaja Hari Singh, requested armed assistance and assylum from India. India refused to send its troops unless Kashmir officially joined the Union of India.

The incumbent Governor-General, Lord Mountbatten also favoured Kashmir’s accession to the Republic of India, to which the Maharaja agreed. The Instrument of Accession was signed by the Hari Singh on October 26, 1947 extending India’s jurisdiction over external affairs, defence and communications.

The next day, Indian troops were airlifted into Srinagar. The Pakistani government immediately contested the accession, suggesting that it was fraudulent, that the Maharaja acted under duress, and that he had no right to sign an agreement with India when the standstill agreement with Pakistan was still in force. furthermore, pro-Indian Kashmiri politicians such as Sheikh Abdullah denounced the Instrument of Accession as a document signed by an illegitimate monarch.