Kashmir: Land of Beauty and Conflicts

By Al-Ahed News

Kashmir, often described as a natural paradise and a land of beauty, is one of the most contentious regions in the world. It has become an arena of geopolitical conflict between two nuclear-armed states: India and Pakistan.

Spanning an area of approximately 223,000 square kilometers, Kashmir is situated in the heart of South Asia and is strategically located between three major powers: India, Pakistan and China.

This geographic importance has made it a constant target of conflict, with its stability shaped more by external power dynamics than internal factors. Historically, this land has been home to civilizations, religions and kingdoms, undergoing numerous transformations that have made it a persistent hotspot of tension since the mid-20th century.

Kashmir Before the 20^th Century

Before the arrival of Islam in the 14^th century CE, Kashmir was part of Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms. With the rise of Buddhism in the Indian subcontinent, Kashmir became a significant scholarly and religious center. The region subsequently witnessed waves of invasions from both within and outside the subcontinent. After the arrival of Islam, the majority of the population converted, with Sunni Muslims forming the majority, along with the presence of Shia communities in some areas.

In the 16^th century, Kashmir fell under Mughal rule, followed by the Afghan Durranis, and later the Sikhs, who annexed it to their state in Punjab. After the British defeated the Sikhs, the Treaty of Amritsar was signed in 1846, under which the British granted Kashmir—despite its Muslim majority—to the Hindu ruler Gulab Singh in exchange for a large sum of money.

The Great Division

In 1947, when India gained independence from British colonial rule, the Indian subcontinent was divided into two states: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. Kashmir and several other princely states were to decide which country to join based on demographic composition.
However, the Hindu ruler of Kashmir preferred to keep the region independent of both countries. This led to an armed uprising by Kashmiri Muslims, supported by groups from Pakistan. In response, the ruler signed an agreement with India, stipulating Kashmir’s accession to India. The Indian army intervened to support the ruler, leading to the outbreak of the first war between India and Pakistan. This resulted in the division of Kashmir into two parts: the Indian-administered region, which includes the Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh; and the Pakistani-administered region, which includes Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

This was not merely a geographical division, but rather the creation of a structural contradiction between the will of the Muslim population and an imposed political reality. Since then, the conflict over Kashmir has not simply been a border dispute, but a struggle for state legitimacy, the right to self-determination, and competing notions of sovereignty.

United Nations Intervention

In 1948, the United Nations called on India and Pakistan to cease fire and hold a referendum to determine Kashmir’s future. Pakistan agreed, while India insisted that Pakistani forces withdraw first. Pakistan refused, and the referendum has remained suspended to this day. This stalemate reflects a tacit international complicity in preserving the status quo to avoid the risk of nuclear conflict or destabilization of the regional balance of power.

Wars and Tensions Between India and Pakistan

The Kashmir dispute has led to three major wars between India and Pakistan:

• The 1947–1948 War: Resulted in the division of Kashmir.
• The 1965 War: Sparked by Pakistan’s efforts to mobilize armed groups in Indian-administered Kashmir and ended with UN intervention.
• The 1971 War: Triggered by the secession of Bangladesh from Pakistan and further consolidated India’s control over Kashmir.

In addition to these wars, a serious conflict erupted in the Kargil region of Kashmir in 1999, nearly escalating into a nuclear confrontation after Pakistani forces infiltrated the Line of Control in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Internal Kashmir: Separatist Movements and Uprisings

Since 1989, an armed uprising has taken place in the Kashmir Valley, led by Muslims demanding independence or accession to Pakistan. Pakistan was accused of supporting the rebels, while India responded with heavy military and security crackdowns that included documented human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and sexual violence.
Kashmir has also witnessed widespread popular uprisings, particularly in 2008, 2010 and 2016, all of which were met with violent suppression by Indian forces. These events deepened the divide between the Muslim population and Indian authorities, fueling resentment and resistance.

Revocation of Autonomy

On August 5, 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370 of the Constitution, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status. The region was subsequently split into two federal territories under direct Indian administration: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
The decision sparked angry reactions from Pakistan and Kashmiri Muslims, especially after India imposed a complete lockdown, cut off communications and arrested thousands of activists and politicians.

Kashmir remains a symbol of ongoing suffering—a conflicted space between peace and war, integration and secession, aspiration and reality.