Recently, Indian soldiers in the Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) reported killing two suspected fighters, adding to the tension in the region as local elections approach. With the first local assembly elections in a decade scheduled to begin on September 18, the clashes serve as a grim reminder of the ongoing conflict in IoK.
The Indian army claimed to have “neutralised” the suspected fighters in Kathua, a predominantly Hindu district in Jammu. This region, with over 500,000 Indian troops, has been a hotspot for a 35-year insurgency that has resulted in numerous casualties.
Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government revoked IoK’s partial autonomy in 2019, the region has been under direct rule from New Delhi. With 8.7 million eligible voters, the upcoming election on October 8 is anticipated to bring about significant political changes.
As tensions rise, Modi is gearing up to rally support for his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party in Jammu, where clashes have been particularly deadly in recent years. The upcoming election will not only shape IoK’s future but also impact the ongoing conflict in the region.
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