India: Hindu pilgrims killed in crossfire in Kashmir July 10

Event

Militants carried out two attacks targeting police forces near Anantnag in the Kashmir region on Monday, July 10. At approximately 20:10 (local time) gunmen assaulted a police checkpoint at the village of Botengo along the national highway. A second police position was attacked at Khanabal. During the fighting, a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims was caught in the crossfire. At least seven pilgrims were killed and another 19 wounded. Expect increased security measures in the region.

Protests against the attack broke out in several major cities across the country, including in the Jammu region, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. Additional demonstrations, which can turn violent, may occur in the coming days.

Context

The Hindu pilgrims were visiting a shrine in the Amarnath Cave, which is considered one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism. Hundreds of thousands of Hindus visit the shrine every year during the months of July and August.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Separatist leaders have condemned the incident and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group has also denied being responsible. Kashmir's security forces have been under increased pressure in recent months as militants have stepped up attacks on police and military troops. Armed clashes between protesters, who oppose Indian rule, and government forces have also become more frequent since the killing of popular militant leader Burhan Wani by security forces on July 8, 2016, which sparked widespread unrest in which more than 100 people were killed. Tensions were stoked again in late May 2017 after Sazar Ahmad Bhat, another former leader of the Hizbul Mujahideen, was killed during a security operation. Violent anti-India protests took place throughout the region in reaction to his death.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in its entirety.

Advice

Individuals in India are advised to monitor the situation and to avoid all potential protests as a precaution.

As a reminder, some foreign governments advise against travel to parts of Jammu and Kashmir state, in particular the border region with Pakistan, due to the high threat of terrorism and other violence.