India’s militarisation build-up in Kashmir could start war: Global Peace report

The Global Peace Index 2025 has raised serious concerns over the ongoing situation in Kashmir, calling it one of the world’s most dangerous nuclear flashpoints.

The report highlights that since 1989, Indian forces have killed more than 40,000 people in the region, turning Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) into the most militarized zone in the world.

In contrast, Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) hosts only about 60,000 troops, showing a major difference in how the two countries are handling the issue.

Key Points from the Report:

• India’s missile strike on Pakistan in May 2025 over the Pahalgam incident is described as reckless militarism, risking a dangerous nuclear confrontation.
• The report calls the April 22 Pahalgam attackers “gunmen” — not “terrorists” — showing a shift in how the global community views Kashmiri resistance fighters, and challenging India’s narrative.
• India has deployed around 500,000 troops in IIOJK, along with 130,000 police personnel, turning the region into a military cage.
• In August 2019, India revoked Kashmir’s special status by scrapping Articles 370 and 35A, which led to mass arrests, internet blackouts, and increased troop presence. This move deepened Kashmir’s alienation and worsened human rights conditions.
• The report notes that Pakistan’s approach is more peaceful, with significantly fewer troops in AJK and no signs of militarization.
• India’s government is accused of using its Kashmir policy to fuel nationalist sentiments, presenting the 2019 revocation of autonomy as part of a larger plan for national unity.
• The situation could trigger serious unrest in both countries, especially inside India, where anti-Muslim violence remains a rising concern.
• The report concludes that a major conflict in Kashmir is likely within the next year, as the region remains tense and the people continue their struggle against India’s heavy-handed policies.

The Global Peace Index warns that without dialogue, justice, and demilitarization, the Kashmir conflict could spiral into a broader and more dangerous crisis.

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