The Battle India Doesn’t Want to Admit Happened Over Kashmir

The debris of an aircraft lies in the compound of a mosque at Pampore in Pulwama district of Indian-administered Kashmir, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 [File: Dar Yasin/AP Photo]

This article challenges India’s claim that Pakistani forces shot down an Indian aircraft from Pakistani territory. It examines Pakistan’s official position that the aerial engagement took place in Kashmiri airspace, where 20 to 25 Pakistani jets engaged Indian aircraft in a brief but intense dogfight. Analyzing the geography, timelines, radar accounts, and the disputed status of Kashmir, this piece highlights how an air battle over a disputed territory has been politically recast as a cross-loc attack. The article aims to separate military facts from media narratives and highlight the legal and strategic implications of fighting in contested skies. 

Earlier, Pakistan had said that it shot down Indian jets within its territory, but some Indian military experts say that Pakistani jets crossed the Pir Panjal mountains and committed air violations in some areas of Kashmir three times in an hour, almost throughout Kashmir. On the other hand, the Pakistan Air Force says that the Indian jets, after attacking Pakistan, fled towards Kashmir instead of India, which is why Pakistani jets chased them and shot them down in Kashmir.

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Pakistan’s global defense exports jump

In the past 6 months, 16 countries including Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sudan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Zimbabwe

• Official expressions of interest

• Negotiations for procurement, or

• Initiation of initial procurement process

These developments show that Pakistan is rapidly becoming a global defense supplier, especially in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.

In a divided world, Nepal walks ahead—where faiths don’t clash, they converse

 

While the world debates tolerance, Nepal practices it

Nepal stands out in today’s fractured world as a living example of mutual religious tolerance. Hinduism and Buddhism—though distinct—are deeply interwoven in daily life, often sharing sacred spaces, festivals, and rituals. Alongside them, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and indigenous Kirat traditions coexist with dignity and social acceptance. This harmony is not enforced by law alone but sustained by culture, history, and community practice, where faith is seen as a personal path rather than a political weapon. Religious identity in Nepal rarely translates into hostility; instead, it fosters coexistence rooted in respect and shared humanity. 

At a time when many societies struggle with polarization and religious conflict, Nepal quietly demonstrates that pluralism can thrive without erasing differences. Its model reminds the world that tolerance is strongest when it grows naturally from society itself, not from fear or compulsion.

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Why the Balochistan Issue Is Not the Same as the Kashmir Dispute

 

UNMOGIP (UN Military Observer Group in India & Pakistan)

Ginkgo Gulzar
(Academc International Research ID: ISSN: 0975-3095)

The Balochistan issue and the Kashmir dispute are often compared in political debates, but in reality, they are fundamentally different in origin, legal status, and international recognition. The Kashmir dispute is an internationally acknowledged conflict, rooted in the 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent and governed by United Nations resolutions that recognize the right of self-determination. It involves multiple parties and remains on the global diplomatic agenda.

In contrast, Balochistan is a province within Pakistan, and its unrest is widely considered an internal political and governance issue. It does not carry international legal status, UN mediation, or disputed territorial claims between states. While grievances in Balochistan relate to development, representation, and rights, equating it with Kashmir oversimplifies complex realities and distorts historical facts.

UN Presence in Srinagar

Historically, the UNMOGIP (UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) has maintained a field/hq presence in Srinagar seasonally to monitor ceasefire observations along the Line of Control. Its headquarters alternate between Srinagar (May to October) and Islamabad (November to April).

The revocation of Article 370 by India in August 2019 altered the internal constitutional and administrative framework of Jammu and Kashmir by ending its special status and reorganizing it into two Union Territories. However, this domestic legal change did not resolve the long-standing international dispute over the region. Jammu and Kashmir continues to be regarded as a disputed territory in United Nations discourse, based on earlier UN Security Council resolutions that called for a peaceful settlement between India and Pakistan. While India maintains that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 was final and that the matter is an internal issue, Pakistan and international bodies continue to view the region’s status as unresolved. Consequently, despite administrative changes within India, the broader territorial dispute remains diplomatically and legally contested at the international level.

Why the UN refused to treat Kashmir’s accession as final—UN resolutions exposed its provisional nature and upheld the Kashmiri right to self-determination.

Why the UN Refused to Treat Kashmir’s Accession as Final examines the legal and political reasons the United Nations declined to accept Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India as a settled fact. When the dispute reached the UN in 1948, it was not treated as an internal matter but as an international conflict involving the unresolved status of a territory whose people had never been consulted. The United Nations Security Council recognized that the Instrument of Accession was signed under conditions of armed conflict, by an unelected ruler, and without the consent of the population—factors that undermined its finality under emerging principles of international law.

Through a series of resolutions, particularly UNSC Resolution 47 (1948), the UN made clear that accession alone could not determine Kashmir’s future. Instead, it affirmed that the will of the people must be ascertained through a free and impartial plebiscite. This position reflected the UN’s post–World War II commitment to self-determination and decolonization, where sovereignty could no longer be imposed through royal decree or wartime coercion.

By refusing to close the issue, the UN acknowledged that legality without legitimacy is insufficient. Kashmir’s continued presence on the UN agenda stands as evidence that its accession was provisional in nature and that the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination remains unresolved under international law.

What changed in 2019 Article 370 was revoked by India (Aug 2019) Jammu & Kashmir was reorganized into two Union Territories This was a domestic constitutional change

What did not change UN Security Council resolutions were not withdrawn Pakistan continues to dispute the territory UN documents and statements still refer to Kashmir as disputed

Different positions (important)

India: Kashmir is an integral part of India; dispute is bilateral, UN has no role UN: Status remains unresolved under earlier resolutions

Key legal point A domestic constitutional act cannot by itself change an international dispute Only a mutually accepted settlement can do that

One-line exam answer Revocation of Article 370 changed India’s internal governance of Jammu & Kashmir but did not end its disputed status at the international/UN level.

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From Secretariat to Social Media: The Facebookisation of Governance in JK

JK Saffron Act-2007

In recent years, social media—especially Facebook—has become a primary communication tool for ministers in Jammu and Kashmir. While digital platforms can improve transparency and public outreach, an over-reliance on online visibility risks creating a gap between announcements and actual governance. This blog examines how frequent posts, photo-ops, and updates often dominate timelines, while many citizens continue to face unresolved issues on the ground, from basic services to administrative delays. It raises an important question: can governance be measured in likes and shares, or in timely decisions and real outcomes? By analysing public expectations, administrative responsibility, and the limits of social-media-driven politics, the article calls for a shift from symbolic communication to result-oriented leadership. True governance, it argues, must be experienced in people’s daily lives—not just displayed on a screen.

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Pecan Tree Farming: The Most Profitable Nut Crop in the World

Pecan Tree Farming in Kashmir

Pecan nuts command premium prices in global markets due to their unique combination of taste, nutrition, limited supply, and strong demand from high-value food industries. Unlike many other nuts, pecans have a rich, buttery flavor and soft texture that makes them a preferred ingredient in premium bakery products, chocolates, ice creams, and gourmet snacks.

One major reason for higher prices is supply concentration. Nearly 80–85% of the world’s pecan production comes from the United States, with limited commercial production elsewhere. This geographic concentration makes pecans vulnerable to climate fluctuations, increasing scarcity and pushing prices upward in international markets.

Pecans are also valued for their exceptional nutritional profile—rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins B and E, and essential minerals. With the global shift toward heart-healthy and plant-based diets, demand for pecans has grown rapidly in Europe, China, Japan, and the Middle East.

Additionally, pecan trees take many years to reach full commercial bearing, which limits quick expansion of supply. Combined with long shelf life, excellent processing quality, and high kernel recovery, pecans remain a preferred choice for exporters and food processors willing to pay premium rates.

As global consumption rises and production remains limited, pecan nuts continue to enjoy strong price stability and long-term premium positioning in international markets.

Pecan Varieties for Kashmir / Uttarakhand/Punjab and other cold degions

1. Stuart

Description: One of the most widely planted commercial pecan cultivars with reliable yields.

Why it’s good: Adaptable to varying climates and moderately cold-tolerant, making it suitable for temperate Himalayan valleys.

Nut quality: Medium to large nuts with good cracking quality.

Use: Great all-purpose variety for fresh market and processing.

2. Mahan

Description: Produces large nuts and performs well in somewhat cooler conditions.

Why it’s good: Early maturing with good adaptability to hill climates.

Consideration: Slightly lower shelling quality compared to some others, but still popular.

Use: Suitable for commercial planting in mid-hills.

3. Western Schley

Description: A well-known classic pecan variety with sweet, thin-shelled kernels.

Why it’s good: Good yields and popular in diverse pecan climates; fairly consistent producer.

Use: Excellent for markets where kernel appearance and eating quality matter.

Note: Performs better where humidity isn’t too high. 

4. Pawnee

Description: Early-bearing, compact pecan cultivar that can start cropping sooner than others.

Why it’s good: Good for growers who want earlier returns and easier management in hill orchards.

Use: Works well in smaller orchards or mixed farms.

5. Caddo and Choctaw (Support Pollinators & Yield)

Why consider: These are robust, high-yielding varieties with good disease resistance.

Best use: Often planted with other varieties for improved cross-pollination (pecans need compatible pollinators of different flowering types) and better overall yield.

Climate: Do well in diverse conditions and are part of commercial pecan plans globally.

Tips for Hill Regions (Kashmir / Uttarakhand/Punjab & other cold regions of India

Chilling requirement: Pecans need about 400–600 hours below ~7 °C to break dormancy and set a good crop. Regions with cold winters and warm summers are ideal. 

Pollination: Plant at least two different compatible varieties nearby to ensure good nut set. 

Spacing & site: Deep, well-drained soils with full sun exposure are crucial.

Availability : Plant/Seeds

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More : https://jkmpic.blogspot.com/2026/01/pecan-farming-most-profitable-nut-crop.html

How Ginkgo Came from China to Kashmir (via Kashmir Central Asia Economic Corridor-KCAEC)

Central Asian plant influence Kashmir

By Sheikh Gulzar| Writer-South Asia 

Kashmir’s landscape is often read through its chinars, willows and poplars. Yet, standing quietly in a few old gardens and institutional compounds is a tree whose story stretches back more than 200 million years and thousands of kilometres — Ginkgo biloba.

Often called a “living fossil,” ginkgo is native to China. Its presence in Kashmir is not accidental, nor recent. It is deeply tied to the region’s historic role as a crossroads of civilisations along the Silk Route, connecting China with Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

A Tree That Traveled with Ideas
Ginkgo survived in China largely because it was protected by Buddhist monasteries, valued for both its medicinal properties and symbolic significance. As Buddhism spread beyond China, monks carried not only scriptures but also medicinal plants and seeds. Along with traders and caravans, these biological travellers moved westward through Xinjiang and Central Asia, eventually reaching Kashmir.

For centuries, Kashmir served as a gateway between Central Asia and South Asia. Goods, people, and knowledge passed through its mountain corridors. Plants such as walnut, apricot, poplar and saffron are known to have arrived through these routes. Ginkgo fits naturally into this historical pattern.

Climate as a Silent Ally
Kashmir’s temperate climate made the valley a natural refuge for ginkgo. The tree tolerates extreme cold, resists disease and pollution, and lives for centuries. These qualities allowed it to survive even as landscapes and political regimes changed.

Unlike commercial crops, ginkgo remained marginal — planted in select locations rather than fields. This limited spread explains why it is rare, yet persistent, in Kashmir.

Forgotten Heritage, Living Evidence
Today, ginkgo trees in Kashmir are often overlooked. Many residents are unaware of their medicinal importance or their role as living evidence of Kashmir’s place in global history. In an era when heritage conservation focuses mainly on monuments, these trees remind us that botanical heritage is equally political and cultural.

The ginkgo’s journey tells a larger story: Kashmir was never isolated. It was — and remains — part of a wider Asian continuum of trade, medicine and knowledge exchange.

Why It Matters Now
As climate change and unplanned urbanisation threaten Kashmir’s ecology, rediscovering such species offers both scientific and cultural value. Ginkgo is resilient, medicinally significant, and symbolic of sustainable coexistence with nature.

Preserving it is not just about saving a tree — it is about reclaiming Kashmir’s identity as a historic bridge between worlds.

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The Strategic Importance of a Kashmir–Central Asia Economic Corridor

 

Kashmir-Central Asia Economic Corridor Tunnel

The primary infrastructure projects facilitating a Kashmir-Central Asia Economic Corridor via Kashmir are the Zojila Tunnel and the Z-Morh Tunnel. These projects are crucial components of the National Highway 1 (NH-1) expansion, designed to provide all-weather, year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Central Asia, ultimately targeting improved access to Central Asia.

Himalayan tunnel project trans-Himalayan tunnel mountain tunnel engineering India high altitude tunnel project strategic tunnel in Kashmir border connectivity infrastructure

How to Earn Lakhs from Mulethi Farming: Yield, Cost & Market Price

 

Mulethi farming

Cultivating Liquorice in Kashmir: A Guide to Growing This Versatile Herb

Liquorice (or licorice) plants are known for their medicinal and flavoring properties and have been cultivated in various regions worldwide. In Kashmir, liquorice is of particular interest due to its traditional uses in local medicine and cuisine.

Liquorice in Kashmir:

1. Botanical Aspects:

   • Scientific Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
   • Habitat: Liquorice grows in a variety of climates but thrives in regions with well-drained soil. In Kashmir, it is often found in the foothills and in areas with a temperate climate.

2. Uses:

   • Medicinal: Liquorice root is used in traditional Kashmiri medicine to treat respiratory issues, digestive problems, and skin conditions. It has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
   • 
     
   • Culinary: The root is sometimes used as a flavoring agent in local sweets and beverages.

3. Cultivation:

   • Climate: The climate of Kashmir is generally favorable for liquorice cultivation, especially in areas with a temperate climate and well-drained soil.
   • Care: The plant requires moderate irrigation and benefits from a sunny to partially shaded environment.

4. Economic Importance:

   • Liquorice cultivation in Kashmir can be economically beneficial due to its demand in both local and international markets. The roots are harvested after about 2-3 years of growth and are processed for various uses.

Cultural and Historical Context:

• Traditional Medicine: Liquorice has been used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for centuries. In Kashmir, it is often included in herbal remedies and tonics.
• Historical Use: The plant's use in Kashmir dates back to ancient times, with historical texts and local practices reflecting its significance.

Where to buy: Seed/plants 

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Ph: 01933-223705

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Kashmir’s Chinars: Can Geo-Tagging Save the Dying Heritage?

Chinar trees during autumn in Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir. Photo/Sheikh Gulzar

Numan Bhat, Rehan Qayoom Mir

Free Academic Articles | Science Articles For Students | Kashmir Times

Kashmir’s Chinars: Can Geo-Tagging Save the Dying Heritage?
A symbol of Kashmir’s identity, with links to Central Asia, faces an uncertain future

Full Academic Article : https://kashmirtimes.com/features/geo-tagging-chinars-symbolic-gesture-or-real-conservation-effort#:~:text=Experts%20insist%20that%20geo-tagging,third-largest%20in%20the%20world. 

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05 Feb 2025, 1:46 am

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Pahalgam Attack: Findings of the UN Special Rapporteurs

 

UN on Pahalgam attack

Human Rights Concerns Arising from the Pahalgam Incident – UN Report

(Observation: 16 October 2025 | Public Release: 15 December 2025)

**Pahalgam Attack & India’s Military Action:

UN Experts Reject Allegations Against Pakistan**

According to a detailed report by five United Nations Special Rapporteurs, India has failed to present any credible or verifiable evidence linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam terrorist attack of 22 April 2025.

The report, completed on 16 October 2025 and made public on 15 December 2025, examines the Pahalgam incident, India’s 7 May military action, and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, raising serious concerns over violations of international law and human rights.

Key Findings of UN Experts

Pakistan categorically denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack

Pakistan offered independent and transparent international investigations

India failed to substantiate its allegations with concrete evidence

7 May 2025: Violation of the UN Charter

UN experts concluded that:

India used military force inside Pakistani territory

This action violated Article 2(4) of the UN Charter

India did not formally inform the UN Security Council before the operation

Civilian areas were targeted, mosques were damaged

Pakistani civilians were killed and injured

The report clearly states:

“There is no recognized or independent right under international law to use unilateral military force in the name of counter-terrorism.”

Pakistan, on 7 May, condemned the action and informed the Security Council that it reserves its right of self-defence under the UN Charter.

Indus Waters Treaty: UN Backs Pakistan’s Legal Position

UN experts expressed serious concern over India’s actions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (1960):

Annual Indus Commission meetings have not taken place since 2022

Data sharing was disrupted

India refused to participate in arbitration proceedings

Suspending or withholding water was deemed an inappropriate and unlawful measure

Counter-measures do not exempt states from human rights obligations

The experts emphasized that water is a fundamental human right, and blocking it directly harms the civilian population of Pakistan.

Who Are the UN Experts?

The report was prepared by independent UN mandate-holders, including:

Ben Saul – Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism

Margaret Satterthwaite – Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers

Morris Tidball-Binz – Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions

Pedro Arrojo-Agudo – Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation

Francesca Albanese – Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Occupied Territories

These experts act in their individual capacity, independent of any government.

The UN report reinforces that:

Pakistan’s position is consistent with international law

India’s allegations remain unproven

Unilateral military action and weaponization of water violate global legal norms

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Dogripora–Wular Flood Channel- Sheikh Gulzar

Dogripora–Wular Flood Channel

By : Sheikh Gulzar
The Dogripora–Wular Flood ChannelProject is a strategic flood mitigation and water management initiative proposed in the Kashmir Valley to enhance the hydraulic connectivity between the Dogripora area and Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes. The project aims to safely divert excess floodwaters during high-flow periods, thereby reducing flood risk to downstream habitations, agricultural lands, and critical infrastructure.

The proposed flood channel will act as an auxiliary drainage corridor, facilitating the controlled conveyance of surplus water from upstream catchments into Wular Lake during peak rainfall, snowmelt, and extreme hydrological events. This intervention is designed to supplement the existing river and nallah network, which has become inadequate due to siltation, encroachments, reduced carrying capacity, and climate-induced flow variability.

Objectives

• To mitigate recurrent flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas of Dogripora and adjoining regions
• To improve floodwater evacuation efficiency into Wular Lake
• To enhance regional water regulation and hydrological balance
• To reduce damage to agriculture, settlements, and public infrastructure
• To contribute to ecological restoration by improving water circulation toward Wular Lake

Project Components

• Excavation and construction of a dedicated flood channel from Dogripora to Wular Lake
• Strengthening and stabilization of channel banks through embankments and slope protection
• Construction of hydraulic structures such as regulators, sluice gates, and cross-drainage works
• Desilting and removal of obstructions along the channel alignment
• Provision of access roads and inspection paths for operation and maintenance
• Environmental safeguards including erosion control and vegetation measures

Expected Benefits

• Significant reduction in flood intensity and duration in vulnerable areas
• Improved flood resilience and disaster preparedness
• Protection of livelihoods dependent on agriculture and fisheries
• Improved water inflow management to Wular Lake, supporting its ecological health
• Long-term socio-economic benefits through reduced disaster-related losses

Conclusion

The Dogripora–Wular Flood Channel Project is a critical infrastructure intervention aimed at strengthening flood management in the Kashmir Valley. The DPR outlines a technically viable, environmentally conscious, and socially beneficial solution to address increasing flood risks while supporting sustainable water resource management and regional resilience.

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India, Anger, and the Illusion of Peace

The idea that India was once a perfectly harmonious civilisation, shattered only by foreign invasions, is more myth than memory. Long before the arrival of the Mughal Empire, the subcontinent was fractured by continuous warfare—kingdom against kingdom, caste against caste, sect against sect. Violence existed, but it was decentralised and incessant. Kennedi Gopalan

Kennedi Gopalan-Blogpost