Torn apart by its neighbours

A family outside their home in Kashmir, India. [Caritas India]

The status of Kashmir, which was partitioned in 1947, and the history of events leading to its division, have long been violently contested between India and Pakistan

The disputed territory of Kashmir shares borders with India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. Kashmir was partitioned as a result of the Indian Independence Act of 1947. About 65% of the territory is administered by India, the remaining 35% by Pakistan.

Tensions between India and Pakistan increased after a series of nuclear tests in mid-1998, as both states sought to demonstrate military parity. In May 1999 hostilities flared when India launched military strikes against Kashmiri insurgents.

India claims that Kashmir legally acceded to it in 1947 but Pakistan claims the Kashmiris were denied their choice of which state to join. Kashmir has been divided since 1948 by a cease-fire line, known as the Line of Control.

Discussions have been held periodically between India and Pakistan but there have been no concrete negotiations.

Decades of conflict

There has been continued violence between militants seeking secession from India and the Indian security forces since the insurgency began in earnest in 1990.

It is believed that Islamic fundamentalists, active in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, seek to spread their influence and control into Kashmir.

Kashmiri Pandits (Hindu), living within strife-torn Kashmir claim that Islamic terrorists are carrying out a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Hindu population.

As a result, India forces are deployed to protect their Hindu brethren and protect their borders.

India maintains military and paramilitary forces - estimated at more than 500,000 - in or adjacent to Jammu Kashmir. That includes artillery and air support.

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