Digital Phablet

Tag: Jammu

  • Heavy Rains Trigger Floods and Landslides, Killing 30 on IIOJK Pilgrim Route

    Heavy Rains Trigger Floods and Landslides, Killing 30 on IIOJK Pilgrim Route

    Heavy rainfall triggered a landslide on a well-known Hindu pilgrimage route in occupied Jammu, resulting in at least 30 fatalities, according to ANI. Floodwaters forced authorities to issue warnings for residents to remain indoors overnight. Forecasters predict continued rain and thunderstorms with strong winds across the mountainous Ladakh region, along with heavy downpours expected in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

    Officials are struggling to restore communication networks, which are nearly out of service, stated Omar Abdullah, the region’s chief minister. The landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine on Tuesday killed at least 30 people, ANI reported, with Reuters holding a minor stake in the news agency.

    This event marks the latest in a series of devastating weather impacts in the Himalayan region, which last week saw 60 deaths and around 200 people missing in Kishtwar, IIOJK. Authorities have also shut down schools in Jammu, which experienced 14.5 inches (368mm) of rain on Tuesday. The Tawi, Chenab, and Basantar rivers have surpassed danger thresholds, leading to flooding in lower areas, according to Jammu district official Rakesh Kumar.

    Images broadcast on local TV showed vehicles plunging into large holes after a bridge over the Tawi River collapsed. Several highways connecting Jammu with other parts of India were also damaged. Neighboring Pakistan is similarly affected by intense monsoon rains. On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Punjab province faced a “very high to exceptionally high” risk of flooding, driven by heavy rains and the release of water from two dams in India. Over 150,000 residents have been displaced in Punjab, including nearly 35,000 who evacuated voluntarily due to flood alerts issued since August 14.

  • Hindu Pilgrimage Kicks Off in IIOJK

    Hindu Pilgrimage Kicks Off in IIOJK

    Annual Amarnath Pilgrimage Commences Amid Security Concerns

    Pahalgam – Hindu devotees kicked off a significant month-long pilgrimage in the Indian-occupied region of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Many began their journey from areas near where a tragic attack occurred in April, resulting in the deaths of 26 tourists, primarily Hindus.

    • Last year, approximately half a million pilgrims took part in the Amarnath pilgrimage, which leads to a revered ice formation situated in a cave within the majestic Himalayan hills near Pahalgam.
    • Security measures have been intensified, with 45,000 troops deployed and high-tech surveillance tools implemented along the challenging trek to the holy site dedicated to Lord Shiva.

    Security Measures Heightened

    Following the attack on April 22, which New Delhi claims was orchestrated by gunmen supported by Pakistan—a claim Islamabad disputes—diplomatic tensions between the two nations have escalated. This incident led to a four-day conflict, marking the gravest standoff between the nuclear-armed countries since 1999.

    Despite recent unrest, some pilgrims, like Muneshwar Das Shashtri from Uttar Pradesh, expressed a sense of security. “I have no fear,” he told AFP.

    Authorities have fortified Pahalgam, transforming the base camp into a heavily secured area protected by barbed wire. Soldiers monitor the area from newly stationed armored vehicles and sandbagged positions, enhanced by facial recognition technology.

    Manoj Sinha, the Indian-appointed administrator for the region, stated, “We’ve installed high-quality surveillance cameras at all major points along the pilgrimage route.” All participants must register and travel in canopied convoys protected by security personnel until they begin walking.

    Camouflaged bunkers have been established in the wooded areas along the path, where makeshift kitchens offer free meals to the pilgrims. Electronic tracking cards are provided to help ensure the safety of those on the pilgrimage.

    Ujwal Yadav, a first-time pilgrim from Uttar Pradesh, declared, “Whatever attacks may have occurred here, I am undeterred. I’ve come to witness the sacred formation.”

    Despite claims from officials that “public confidence is returning,” the number of registrations has dropped by 10% this year.

    A Growing Tradition

    Originally a modest event attended by local devotees, the Amarnath pilgrimage has expanded since an armed insurgency began in 1989. The Indian government has since actively promoted the event, which will continue until August 9.

    Although advocates for freedom in the region have stated that the pilgrimage is not a target, they warn that any attempts to use it to assert Hindu dominance could lead to conflict. In 2017, an attack on a pilgrimage bus resulted in the loss of 11 lives.

    The individual responsible for the April 22 incident remains at large, despite extensive manhunts by security forces in the region. On June 22, India’s National Investigation Agency reported the arrest of two men in the Pahalgam area accused of providing logistical support to the attackers.

    As the pilgrimage unfolds, the combination of faith and heightened security shapes what has become an enduring and complex tradition in this historically charged region.

  • India to Assign Military Veterans as Security Guards in IIOJK Post-Ceasefire

    India to Assign Military Veterans as Security Guards in IIOJK Post-Ceasefire

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    Members of the Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) maintaining security on the streets of Srinagar, October 12, 2021. — Reuters

    On Saturday, the Indian government announced that military veterans will be reassigned as security guards in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir, shortly after a ceasefire agreement with Pakistan aimed at resolving a longstanding conflict.

    The recent violence in the area, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 70 individuals, was incited by an attack on tourists last month. New Delhi accused Pakistan of supporting the attack, a claim that Islamabad denies.

    The administration of Jammu and Kashmir has approved a plan to utilize Ex-Servicemen (ESM) to protect key infrastructure throughout the Union Territory, as stated in an official press release.

    According to the announcement, around 4,000 veterans have been identified as non-combatant volunteers, with 435 possessing licensed firearms.

    This initiative aims to “significantly improve the ability to effectively respond to local security challenges,” the government noted.

    The veterans will serve in “static guard” positions, concentrating on “deterrence through presence and community coordination.”

    Currently, India has an estimated 500,000 troops permanently stationed in this contested region, which has been the center of multiple wars between the two nuclear-armed nations, each controlling separate segments of the divided territory.

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  • Jammu & Kashmir: 67 Conflict Incidents Reported in 2025

    Jammu & Kashmir: 67 Conflict Incidents Reported in 2025

    Overview of the Jammu & Kashmir Conflict

    The conflict in Jammu and Kashmir is a complex issue rooted in historical disputes between India and Pakistan, which emerged during the turbulent partitioning of British India in 1947. As a region characterized by its stunning landscapes, Jammu and Kashmir has been the focal point of various military confrontations, political disagreements, and humanitarian crises. Despite recent announcements of ceasefires, skirmishes continue to highlight the deep-seated strife.

    Recent Escalations

    India and Pakistan have maintained a fragile ceasefire, but incidents along the Line of Control frequently threaten to unravel this peace. A recent attack by five armed gunmen in Indian-administered Kashmir tragically resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. This incident was claimed by the Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, igniting a wave of accusations between the two countries. While India holds Pakistan responsible for the violence, the Pakistani government vehemently denies any involvement, suggesting that India is using these events to justify political maneuvers such as suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.

    Military Responses and Clashes

    In retaliation for the civilian deaths, the Indian military launched strikes against supposed "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistani-administered Kashmir. However, the effectiveness of these operations is contested, with Pakistani officials asserting that civilian areas were affected, not military targets. The situation has intensified along the Line of Control, with reports of drone attacks and increased troop mobilizations on both sides.

    Historical Context

    The Partition of 1947

    The roots of this ongoing conflict trace back to the partition of British India in 1947, which split the territory into Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. Historical estimates suggest that the partition led to the deaths of between 200,000 and 2 million individuals. Kashmir, initially an independent princely state, was embroiled in turmoil when its Hindu ruler opted to join India, despite the region’s predominantly Muslim population.

    The Formation of the Conflict

    This decision led to the first Indo-Pakistani war in 1947-1948 and established a militarized division of the territory. Since then, various conflict periods have emerged, characterized by significant violence, including bombings, militancy, and Indian military operations.

    Current Data Insights

    Terrorism-Related Incidents

    According to data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), incidents of terrorism in the Jammu and Kashmir region have fluctuated over the years. Notably, the peak in violence occurred in 2001, with 391 reported incidents leading to 303 civilian deaths and significant casualties among both security forces and militants.

    The situation has shown signs of improvement, with incident numbers decreasing significantly over recent years. In 2025, for example, only 67 incidents were reported by May 10, marking a continued but precarious downward trend in violence.

    Special Autonomy Revoked

    A pivotal moment in the recent history of Jammu and Kashmir came in 2019 when the Indian government revoked the region’s special autonomy, which had previously granted it a degree of self-governance. This move has been controversial and has led to new rounds of conflict between state forces and local protests.

    Summary of Gendered Impact

    The enduring conflict has had profound implications not only on the socio-political landscape but also on the human experiences of those living in the region. Women, children, and marginalized communities have borne much of the brunt, with stories of displacement, violence, and loss becoming commonplace. Understanding the gendered impact of this conflict is crucial for addressing the humanitarian needs of the region.

    Path Forward

    As the region remains a flashpoint for both national and international tensions, solutions are sought through dialogue and diplomacy. However, the intertwined narratives of national identity, territorial integrity, and human rights make the path to lasting peace complicated and fraught with challenges.

    The situation in Jammu and Kashmir serves as a reminder of the intricate relationships between history, politics, and human rights in conflict resolution.