India launched attacks in the early hours of May 7 about what it claimed was “terror camps” in Pakistan’s Punjab Province, including in Azad Jammu and Kashmir region.

The strike followed the killing of 26 people, mostly tourists, in Indian illegally, Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) occupied last month by attackers, which India accused of Pakistan.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General LT Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said at least eight Pakistanis were martyrated and 35 were injured in Indian missile attacks.

The Muslim majority of the Himalayan region has been the site of several wars, freedom movements and diplomatic standoffs.

Here is a look at the region, its history, and why it continues to be a source of excitement between the two countries:

Division and accession

Following the division of the subcontinent in 1947, after independence from British government, Kashmir was expected to become part of Pakistan, as with other Muslim majority regions. Its Hindu ruler wanted it to remain independent, but joined India in October 1947 in return for help.

Geography and demographics

The region ended up being shared between Hindu-Majority India, which controls IIOJK and Ladakh; Pakistan, who manages Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the northern areas; And China holding Aksai Chin.

IIOJK has a population of about 7 million, of which almost 70% are Muslim.

Article 370

A provision of the Indian Constitution, Article 370, provided partial autonomy to IIOJK. It was prepared in 1947 by the then Prime Minister of the State, Sheikh Abdullah, and accepted by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Although intended for temporary, it was included in the Constitution of India in 1949 by the Constituent Assembly.

Wars and military standoffs

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence, two of them over IIOJK, in 1947 and 1965. One third in 1971 led to the establishment of Bangladesh. In 1999, they collided again in the Kargil region of what was described as a non -declared war. An undeveloped ceasefire line, the control line, now shares the region.

The freedom struggle

Many Muslims in IIOJK have long been angry at what they see as a powerful rule of India. In 1989, it bubbled into a movement for independence led by Muslim freedom fighters. India poured troops into the region and tens of thousands of humans are killed.

India accuses Pakistan of armament and training militants that Islamabad denies.

Recall of special status

In August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government recalled Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in a step that it said would better integrate the region with the rest of the country. IIOJK was reorganized into two federally administered trade union areas – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Pakistan opposed strongly and downgraded diplomatic ties with India.

Last year

Modi claimed that his 2019 decision brought normality to IIOJK after decades of blood edition. Violence has been deterred in recent years, according to Indian officials, with fewer major attacks and rising tourist arrivals. However, targeted killings of civilians and security forces were still reported.

2024 Election

In 2024, IIOJK held its first local elections since the revocation of autonomy in 2019. Several newly elected lawmakers called for a partial restoration of Article 370. Key Regional Party’s Boikotted or criticized the vote and said the winners would have no real political power.