Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It consists of three main areas: Jammu, the Kashmir Valley (Kashmir), and Ladakh.

Jammu and Kashmir was a princely state with a Muslim majority ruled by a Hindu Maharaja (king) until 1947. Since then, India and Pakistan have disputed control over Jammu and Kashmir, with both countries claiming the entire state. The de facto situation is that Pakistan controls just under half, the People's Republic of China a small portion, and India just over half the state. India and Pakistan have been to war three times in Kashmir (1947-48, 1965, 1971) and clashed there again during the Kargil Crisis (1999).

Tension appeared again between the two countries in 2001-02, prompted by what India considers to be Pakistani moves to support the separatist movement in Indian-controlled Kashmir.