India: Shutdown strike and sit-in protest in Kashmir October 22-23

Event

A shutdown strike is being observed on Monday, October 22, across the Kashmir Valley in protest against the deaths of seven civilians and three militants killed during a security operation carried out in the Kulgam district on October 21. Private businesses are closed throughout the area and additional security forces have been deployed to disperse any protests and man checkpoints. The strike has been called by the umbrella Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) separatist organization. A related sit-in protest is expected to be held on October 23 at the Lal Chowk square in the Kashmir and Jammu state capital Srinagar.

Context

A security operation carried out against separatists on October 22, killed three militants and was followed by anti-India protests. The seven civilians reportedly died as a result of explosives left at the site of the operation by the security forces.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to closely monitor developments to the situation and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. As a reminder, some Western governments advise their citizens against travel to parts of Kashmir, notably areas along the Line of Control (LoC), due to the significant risk of violence.