In a series of violent incidents in Kashmir, three rebels and one Indian soldier lost their lives, intensifying the ongoing conflict in the region. The White Knight Corps, a tactical formation of the Indian Army, recently posted on social media platform X about an impressive feat. They received accolades for pulling weapons and “military stores” from a location in Kishtwar after having effectively thwarted an intrusion attempt. This incident underscores the tragedy of continued violence across the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Indian-administered Kashmir from Pakistan-administered territory.
This soldier was killed in another fire fight in the Sunderbani district, which lies along the LoC. This region has been the epicenter of terrible violence. Rebel groups have been battling Indian forces for years, seeking either Kashmir’s independence or its incorporation into Pakistan. The war in Kashmir, marked by widespread violence, torture and enforced disappearances, has taken the lives of over 70,000 people, predominantly civilians.
Last month that powderkeg exploded in a major confrontation. Sadly, the attack killed four police officers and two suspected insurgents, and many other police were injured. Each of these incidents serves to underscore the nature of the region’s volatility. Tensions have soared since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government stripped its semi-autonomy in 2019. Since then, dissent is crackdowns, civil liberties, and media freedoms have all been severely clipped, while military operations greatly expanded.
India blames Pakistan regularly for supporting infiltration of militants across the Line of Control (LoC) to carry out attacks on Indian troops. Islamabad, however, refutes these charges, claiming that it only provides moral and political support to Kashmir’s fight for self-determination. The deeper story continues to be complicated and has heavy geopolitical implications.
The White Knight Corps’ recent announcement about recovering lost arms is reflective of the increased militarization of the area. India is currently occupying the territory with almost 500,000 Indian soldiers. Its primary objectives are to counter insurgency and to control civil unrest.
Almost a year ago, former UN human rights commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein asked for an international investigation into the alleged abuses in the largely Muslim region. Thankfully, this report has appeared in answer to his desperate call. This never-ending cycle of violence has recently brought renewed attention from international institutions and human rights organizations.
