Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that “terrorism is on its last legs” in Indian-administered Kashmir during a campaign rally in the region, just a day after two soldiers were killed in a gunfight with suspected rebels. The Himalayan region is gearing up for its first local assembly polls in a decade, with voting set to begin next week.
Modi’s Hindu nationalist government had revoked the region’s semiautonomy in 2019, leading to widespread changes in governance that the BJP claims have brought peace and economic growth to the region. However, these changes were also met with criticism, including mass arrests and internet blackouts to prevent protests.
In his rally, Modi vowed to create a secure and prosperous Indian-administered Kashmir free from terrorism and welcoming to tourists. However, recent clashes between security forces and rebels have raised concerns ahead of the upcoming polls. The region has been a hotbed of conflict between India and Pakistan, with rebels fighting for independence or a merger with Pakistan.
The disputed territory remains heavily militarized, with thousands of soldiers deployed to combat the decades-long insurgency. India accuses Pakistan of supporting the rebels and cross-border attacks, a claim Islamabad denies. Both nuclear-armed countries have a history of conflict over control of Kashmir, further complicating the situation in the region.
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