India: Separatists launch general strike in Kashmir December 10

Event

Kashmiri separatists have launched a general strike on Monday, December 10, to denounce alleged Indian human rights abuses in the region in observance of World Human Rights Day. In Srinagar, shops, fuel stations, and business establishments remain shut; security forces are deployed in sensitive areas across the Kashmir Valley to prevent related unrest. Continuing disruptions are to be expected in Kashmir over the coming hours.

Context

Tensions have been particularly high in the Jammu & Kashmir state in recent months, with often deadly sporadic cross-border shelling and border skirmishes between Pakistani and Indian armed forces along the Line of Control (LoC). Notably, a security operation and accompanying gunfight between security officers and militants took place in Srinagar on December 8-9, leaving three militants dead and five security personnel wounded.

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.