India has conducted what it has described as “precision strikes” in neighbouring Pakistan and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, days after it blamed Islamabad for a deadly attack on the Indian side of the contested region that killed 26 people.

At least 26 civilians were killed and 46 injured by the Indian strikes, according to Pakistani officials.

The Indian government claimed that nine non-military targets had been hit, in what it called “Operation Sindoor”.

The military operation by India represents yet another bloody chapter in the decades-long simmering conflict over Kashmir, often called the Switzerland of India because of its lakes, forests and snow-capped mountains.

The contested nature of the territory means that Kashmir is one of the most militarised zones in the world.

To understand what happened this week – and why – it’s necessary to look back to 1947 when Pakistan and India became independent from Britain and when both claimed Kashmir.

Shashank Joshi, defence Eeditor with The Economist magazine, explains the background and explores the fears of further hostilities in one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. 

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