A recent report by the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) highlights the profound humanitarian and psychological consequences of decades of conflict in Jammu and Kashmir.

The study presents a troubling picture of widespread mental health challenges linked to prolonged violence, human rights concerns and limited access to psychological care. Alongside these issues, India has also faced scrutiny over the rising number of missing persons in the region and setbacks in its space program led by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

According to the KIIR report, decades of conflict have significantly affected the psychological well-being of the population in Indian-administered Kashmir. The region has endured more than three decades of armed confrontation, during which over 100,000 people have reportedly lost their lives. Additionally, more than 8,000 cases of enforced disappearances have been documented by various rights groups.

The situation intensified following the constitutional changes of August 5, 2019, when the Government of India revoked Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution, altering the region’s semi-autonomous status. The aftermath included extended curfews and one of the longest internet shutdowns recorded in a democratic society, further disrupting daily life and social stability. The research suggests that approximately 45 percent of adults in the region—around 1.8 million people—experience some form of psychological distress. Depression affects roughly 41 percent of the population, anxiety disorders impact 26 percent and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects nearly 19 percent. Surveys also indicate that about 47 percent of adults have experienced severe traumatic events during the conflict.

Rising cases of missing persons: Another pressing concern highlighted in official figures presented in India’s Rajya Sabha relates to the increasing number of missing persons. According to parliamentary data, 7,151 individuals were reported missing in the region during 2023 alone. Of these, 2,961 were located within the same year, while 4,190 remained missing by the end of the year. The trend shows a steady increase over the past four years. Reported cases rose from 5,824 in 2020 to 6,486 in 2021, then to 6,983 in 2022 and finally to 7,151 in 2023. The number of unresolved cases also increased from 3,813 in 2020 to 4,190 in 2023.

Setbacks in India’s space programme: In a separate development affecting India’s technological reputation, ISRO has faced multiple mission setbacks in recent years. On January 12, 2026, the PSLV C62 mission launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota failed shortly after liftoff due to a technical malfunction in the rocket’s third stage. The failure destroyed the primary Earth observation satellite, EOS N1 (Anvesha), along with 15 co-passenger satellites. This incident marked the second failure of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle mission within eight months and added to a series of setbacks since 2021. Other problematic missions include PSLV C61 in May 2025 and SSLV D1 in August 2022, both of which experienced technical issues affecting satellite deployment.

Together, these developments—ranging from mental health challenges and unresolved disappearances in Kashmir to setbacks in India’s space sector—underscore the complex domestic and strategic issues confronting the country. Addressing these challenges will require sustained institutional reforms, greater transparency and enhanced international engagement to ensure stability, accountability and technological resilience in the years ahead.

—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.

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