By A recent gunfight in Kashmir has resulted in the deaths of two Indian soldiers and left two others injured, occurring just days before the region’s local elections. The clash took place on Friday in Kishtwar district, as reported by the Indian army via social media platform X.
This firefight underscores the growing tensions in Indian-held Kashmir, which has seen a rise in violence between freedom fighters and security forces in the lead-up to the first local assembly polls in a decade. The region has been embroiled in conflict for decades, with rebels demanding either independence or integration with Pakistan.
Currently, around 500,000 Indian troops are stationed in Kashmir, combating a 35-year-long insurgency that has led to the deaths of tens of thousands, including civilians, soldiers, and insurgents. The conflict has intensified since 2019, when the Indian government, led by Narendra Modi, revoked the region’s partial autonomy and dissolved its local government.
The upcoming elections are set to begin on September 18, with approximately 8.7 million people eligible to vote. The results are expected to be announced in October. This election marks a significant moment as it is the first since the revocation of the region’s special status, and there are high stakes involved in determining the future governance of the area.
In the run-up to the elections, Modi is anticipated to address rallies in Jammu, the southern part of the territory, which has a substantial Hindu population. These rallies are part of his campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In the past two years, more than 50 Indian soldiers have been killed in clashes, mostly in the Jammu region, highlighting the ongoing volatility and the challenges faced by the Indian military in maintaining control over the disputed territory.
