India fears renewed threat in Kashmir amid rise of Taliban

Protesters burn an effigy of the Indian prime minister during a Karachi rally to express solidarity with Indian Kashmiris (AP)

India’s leaders are anxiously watching the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, fearing that it will benefit Pakistan and feed an insurgency in the disputed region of Kashmir, where militants already have a foothold.

Lt Gen Deependra Singh Hooda, the former military commander for northern India between 2014 and 2016, said militant groups based across the border in Pakistan would “certainly try and push men” into Kashmir, following the Taliban victory in Afghanistan.