In Indian-controlled Kashmir, where violence has come in grim cycles for more than two decades, people know what to expect when tempers rise.
Furious young men hurl rocks and shout for an end to Indian rule. The violent crackdown comes swiftly, as Indian paramilitary soldiers pour into the streets. Then the shooting starts, the hospitals grow crowded and the siege begins.
In this July 25, 2016, photo, Kashmiri fruit vendors wait for customers at a closed market during a strike in Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. During general strikes, Kashmiri separatists insist that only shops selling necessities are allowed to open _ other businesses must stay closed as a sign of solidarity. Shops that defy the strike often face retaliation. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
The most recent spate of violence has been the worst in years, killing some 50 people since July 8. It started last month after Indian soldiers killed Burhan Wani, a charismatic 22-year-old rebel who attracted a following in large part by using the tools of his age — social media.
In the wake of Wani’s death, Srinagar, the largest city in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, has become a ghost town.
In this July 24, 2016 photo, Kashmiris march shortly after a day long curfew in central Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir. “Azadi,” a Kashmiri word for freedom, and “India go home!” are long-time slogans. People shout them during street protests and spray paint them on walls, although Indian authorities often paint over them. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
In this July 24, 2016 photo, Kashmiri women watch an anti-Indian protest in Maisuma, a neighborhood in Srinagar’s business hub. Separatists have enforced general strikes to shut down the city and called for mass protests in the streets. Indian authorities have responded by imposing curfews along the valley and by deploying throngs of soldiers in the streets. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
In this July 24, 2016 photo, candles used during a peaceful protest organized by Kashmiri separatist burn in the middle of a street in downtown Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Separatists have enforced general strikes to shut down the city and called for mass protests in the streets. Indian authorities have responded by imposing curfews and deploying throngs of soldiers.
This is what Kashmir looks like when it’s under siege.
CURFEWS, STRIKES AND BLACKOUTS
In this July 23, 2016 photo, graffiti is painted on the security shutters of shops in Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. “Azadi,” a Kashmiri word for freedom, and “India go home!” are long-time slogans. People shout them during street protests and spray paint them on walls, although Indian authorities often paint over them. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
In this July 23, 2016 photo, barbed wire surrounds an Indian national flag in a paramilitary base in Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. Pakistan flags and local militias’ flags are hoisted and waved on streets while Indian flags flutter on government buildings and forces camps. Kashmir, a predominantly Muslim region, is divided between India and Pakistan, but both claim it in its entirety. The rivals have fought two wars over control of Kashmir since independence from Britain in 1947. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
During general strikes, Kashmiri separatists insist that all businesses, except those selling necessities, stay closed as a sign of solidarity. Shops that defy the strike often face retaliation.
In Srinagar, residents rush to buy bread and vegetables early in the morning, before Indian forces deploy for the day-long curfew.
Known for its vitality, Srinagar is now empty streets, shuttered stores and barbed wire.
Social gatherings wait until evening, unless separatists call for a blackout. In that case, everyone will have to turn off the lights.
THE FLAGS
In this July 24, 2016 photo, a green Islamic flag flutters from a rooftop in Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. Islam has been rooted in the region since the 14th century. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
In this July 25, 2016 photo, a Pakistani flag is painted on a security shutter of a shop in downtown Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. Kashmir, a predominantly Muslim region, is divided between India and Pakistan, but both claim it in its entirety. The rivals have fought two wars over control of Kashmir since independence from Britain in 1947. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
In any global conflict, flags are important signals of political support.
The green Islamic flags that crown the buildings of Srinagar are a reminder that Islam has been rooted here since the 14th century, when a Sufi missionary known as Bulbul Shah arrived in the valley.
Kashmir, a predominantly Muslim region, is divided between India and Pakistan, but both countries claim it in its entirety. The rivals have fought two wars over control of Kashmir since independence from Britain in 1947.
Pakistan flags and local militias’ flags are hoisted and waved on the streets. Indian flags flutter on government buildings and military camps.
SLOGANS, OLD AND NEW
In this July 25, 2016 photo, graffiti is painted on a security shutter of a shop in downtown Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. The most recent spate of violence has been the worst in years. It started on July 8, 2016, after Indian soldiers killed Burhan Wani, a charismatic 22-year-old rebel who attracted a following in large part by using the tools of his age, social media. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
“Azadi,” a Kashmiri word for freedom, and “India go home!” are longtime slogans.
People shout them during street protests and spray paint them on walls, although Indian authorities often paint over them.
Now, “Burhan is our hero” is seen scrawled on walls in Srinagar, along with curses against Indian rule.
BARRICADES AND BLANKETS
In this July 24, 2016 photo, Kashmiris drive past stones used during clashes between Kashmir separatists and Indian government forces in Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. Separatists have enforced general strikes to shut down the city and called for mass protests in the streets. Indian authorities have responded by imposing curfews along the valley and by deploying throngs of soldiers in the streets. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
In this July 25, 2016, photo, a Kashmiri man looks from a window in Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. Those who live near the most violent areas use blankets to cover their windows to protect the few unbroken panes and prevent projectiles from flying inside. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
In this July 23, 2016 photo, an Indian paramilitary soldier drags barbed wire at the end of a daylong curfew in Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
In this July 24, 2016 photo, a dog searches for food near rusted dumpsters used as barricades in Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Rocks and rusted dumpsters serve as barricades in the middle of streets. If the unrest is prolonged, protesters allow an empty lane on one side so cars and pedestrians can pass.
Those who live near the most violent areas use blankets to cover their windows to protect the few unbroken panes and prevent projectiles from flying inside.
Maisuma, a neighborhood in Srinagar’s business hub, is sometimes referred to as Gaza, after the beleaguered Palestinian city. Its residents — men and women, old and young — often protest.
THE LAKE
In this July 25, 2016 photo, Kashmiris gather at the docks of the Dal lake in Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. In many ways, the lake offers a barometer for the political situation in Kashmir. If the wooden boats, known as Shikharas, are not out on the water and if music isn’t floating from the houseboats, then it probably means yet another cycle of violence has come to Kashmir. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
In this July 25, 2016 photo, Sikharas are berthed on the Dal lake in Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir. In many ways, the lake offers a barometer for the political situation in Kashmir. If the wooden boats, known as Shikaras, are not out on the water and if music isn’t floating from the houseboats, then it probably means yet another cycle of violence has come to Kashmir. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Srinagar is the summer capital of the region, and Dal Lake is its heart. This is where Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar taught George Harrison of the Beatles.
In many ways, the lake offers a barometer for the political situation in Kashmir. If the wooden gondolas known as shikaras are not out on the water, and if music isn’t floating from the houseboats that serve as hotels and restaurants, then it probably means yet another cycle of violence has come to Kashmir.
These days, most of the boats are docked, and the waters are silent.
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One thought on “Scenes From a City Under Siege in Indian-Controlled Kashmir”
I do not understand why same texts have been repeated again and again in the story as well as as caption. It needs a relook by the editor, if any.
AP Images Blog 
I do not understand why same texts have been repeated again and again in the story as well as as caption. It needs a relook by the editor, if any.
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