section_path: Background
section_name: Background
paragraph_text: Background
  
  The Jammu and Kashmir insurgency began in the late 1980s, as part of the wider Kashmir conflict. Pakistan's role in launching the insurgency as well as in turning it into an Islamist militancy are well-documented in the scholarly literature. The rise of militancy in the region has led to an exodus of Kashmiri Hindus.
  
  In 2019, the Indian government revoked the special status previously granted to Jammu and Kashmir, and extended the Constitution of India to the state in full, enabling non-Kashmiris to purchase property and settle down in Kashmir. Also related is the issuance of domicile status to non-Kashmiris, qualifying them for jobs and college seats. Fears have been expressed that these changes would result in a change in demographics in Kashmir, with non-locals settling in the area.
  
  After the revocation, a new militant group called The Resistance Front (TRF) sprang up in Kashmir, believed to have been sponsored by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN designated terrorist group. TRF has been designated as terrorist organisation in India. It was formed from the cadres of LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen in Kashmir, and has carried out attacks on Hindu minority communities.
  
  Prior to 2025, the largest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in preceding years were the 2016 Uri attack and 2019 Pulwama attack. India blamed Pakistan-based militants for both of them and conducted retaliatory strikes. In the weeks preceding the Pahalgam attack, India acquired the extradition of former Pakistan Army officer Tahawwur Rana, who was linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and convicted (in the US) for supporting the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir gave a speech describing Kashmir as "our jugular vein " and branding Hindus as being different from Muslims in every way via an appeal to the two-nation theory that lead to the partition of India.
  
  The Indian government and media have long alleged that Pakistan supports militant groups such as TRF. Pakistan denies any support for militants including those involved in Jammu and Kashmir, officially maintaining only "diplomatic and moral support" for the Kashmiri people.