Silent Killers: The Human and Ecological Cost of Landmines and Explosives in Kashmir

The verdant valleys and snow-capped peaks of Kashmir, often romanticized for their breathtaking beauty, conceal a grim reality beneath the surface: a landscape scarred by decades of conflict and littered with the silent menace of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). This deadly legacy of war, a direct consequence of the protracted conflict, continues to exact a devastating toll on both human lives and the fragile biodiversity of the region.

Landmines were strategically deployed along the heavily militarized Line of Control (LoC) – one of the most dangerous borders in the world – and in other sensitive areas, by the Indian army to deter what they call infiltration and protect military installations. However, their indiscriminate nature and the frequent lack of accurate mapping or clear marking have transformed vast swathes of land, including pastures and farmlands, into potential death traps.

The Staggering Human Cost

The human cost of this hidden threat is staggering, though comprehensive official data remains scarce. Much of what is known comes from media reports, human rights organizations, and the harrowing accounts of survivors. According to the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, between 1999 and 2015, there were 3,191 recorded victims of activated mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and explosive remnants of war (ERW) across India, with 1,083 killed and 2,107 injured. The largest portion of these casualties occurred in Kashmir.

Civilians, particularly those living near the LoC in districts such as Kupwara, Poonch, and Baramullah , bear the brunt of this violence. Farmers tilling fields, shepherds grazing livestock, and children simply playing are disproportionately vulnerable to these landmines. Following stories of victims paint a grim picture of shattered lives:

​•​Mohammad Yaqoob, a labourer from Kupwara, lost his leg in December 2000 after stepping on a mine while returning from army patrol duty. His wife subsequently divorced him, leaving him to raise two daughters on a meagre pension of 1,000 rupees (approx. $13.60) per month.

​•​In August 2017, Hakam Bi, a 21-year-old woman from Uri, had her right leg amputated after encountering a mine while collecting fodder. Her family struggled with medical costs, and her husband now works as an army porter, facing daily risks himself.
​•​Haider Mughal, a farmer from Kupwara, lost his right leg in 1997 while grazing livestock on his own land. He was forced to sell his animals to afford treatment and now relies on an artificial limb requiring annual replacement.

​•​Gulab Jan from Uri lost her right foot in 1995 while working in her field. She received no compensation for her treatment and survives on the same small monthly pension.

​•​Soni Begum, also from Uri, lost her leg in 1998 while taking livestock to graze. Tragically, three years later, her husband, working as an army porter, suffered the same fate. The family received no compensation for the loss of their land, now rendered unusable.
These stories highlight systemic issues. Many victims receive little to no adequate compensation, with pensions often insufficient for basic survival, let alone ongoing medical needs or replacing prosthetics. Landmines are frequently planted without clear warning signs or fences, and can shift due to weather conditions like rain or snow, rendering any existing markers ineffective. Access to medical care is often hampered by poor infrastructure and high costs.

Beyond the immediate physical trauma of death or maiming, the psychological impact is profound. The constant fear of triggering a hidden explosive casts a long shadow over daily life, restricting movement, hindering economic activity as agricultural land becomes unusable, and fostering a pervasive climate of anxiety and insecurity. Families are plunged into poverty, communities are fractured, and overall development is severely impeded.

Devastation in the Natural World

The ecological consequences are equally alarming. Kashmir’s unique biodiversity, celebrated for its rich flora and fauna, is under constant threat. Landmines and UXO contaminate the soil, disrupting delicate ecosystems and hindering vegetation growth. The explosions themselves directly kill or injure wildlife. Furthermore, the fear of mines restricts access for both wildlife and conservationists to crucial habitats, disrupting migration patterns, breeding cycles, and monitoring efforts.

The endangered Hangul (Kashmir stag), a symbol of the region’s natural heritage, is particularly vulnerable. Its preferred habitat in mountainous areas, often near the LoC, is frequently riddled with landmines, posing a significant threat to the survival of this already pressured species. Other iconic wildlife, including the Himalayan brown bear, the elusive snow leopard, and numerous bird species, also face increased risks due to these hidden explosives contaminating their environment and limiting their range.
Challenges and the Path Forward

Clearing landmines and UXO in Kashmir is a complex, dangerous, and slow process. The challenging mountainous terrain, the lack of accurate minefield maps, ongoing security concerns, and insufficient resources and political will all present significant hurdles.
Addressing this deep-seated crisis requires a multi-faceted and sustained approach:

​1.​Enhanced Clearance Efforts: Urgent need for increased funding, technical assistance, trained personnel, and advanced technology for demining operations, coupled with comprehensive mapping and surveying.

​2.​Mine Risk Education: Robust public awareness campaigns and community outreach programs are crucial to inform residents, especially children, about the dangers, identification, and reporting of mines and UXO. Integration into school curricula is vital.
​3.​Victim Assistance: Comprehensive, long-term support for survivors is essential, including accessible medical care, rehabilitation services, psychological counseling, and opportunities for vocational training and economic empowerment to rebuild lives. Adequate compensation systems must be established.

​4.​Transparency and Policy: Official recording and reporting of landmine casualties are needed to understand the full scale of the problem. Despite calls from bodies like the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), India has not signed the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, citing security needs. Greater transparency and engagement with international norms are required.

​5.​Political Resolution: Ultimately, a lasting solution hinges on a broader political settlement. A peaceful resolution to the conflict would halt further mine deployment and create a safer environment for comprehensive clearance and rehabilitation.

The silent killers lurking beneath the soil of Kashmir are a brutal legacy of conflict, continuing to claim lives, shatter families, and devastate irreplaceable ecosystems. Only through a concerted effort focused on human security, environmental protection, and sustainable peace can the region truly begin to heal and realize its potential as a haven of prosperity and biodiversity.

The Writer is Chairman Kashmir Institue of International Relations and can be reached :-
saleeemwani@hotmail.com X @sultan1913