Relations between India and Pakistan have deteriorated sharply

The attack took place against the backdrop of ongoing protests in the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir, where the majority of the population are Muslims. Almost all of the events ended in clashes with police and security forces, and led to casualties on both sides.

Katehon previously informed readers that Kashmir is a disputed territory. Its division is not embodied in formal agreements. India controls the territory called the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Under the jurisdiction of Pakistan is Gilgit-Balsistan. In addition, there is a self-proclaimed unrecognized state of Azad Kashmir which is under Pakistan's control. A small area is a part of Chinese territory.

The border between India and Pakistan was marked by United Nations in 1949 as ceasefire line. For more than half a century since, in this territory, has been either conventional warfare between India and Pakistan or subversive activity. As a rule, the attacks occur on Indian territory, and are considered as organized by local Islamists or groups from Pakistan.

Recently, changes in ideology among militant groups in the region have been observed . The risk of links with international terrorist groups such as "Al-Qaeda" and "Islamic State" have significantly increased  .

The situation in Indian-administered Kashmir has deteriorated dramatically since July 8th, 2016, when one of the leaders of the group "Hizb-ul Mujahiddin", Muzaffar Burhan Wani, was killed. Reiots then ensued and about 80 were killed and more than 10 thousand people were injured.