Protest Against Pakistan In Pakistan-Occupied Jammu And Kashmir And Gilgit-Baltistan: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

The territories of Gilgit-Baltistan(GB) and the remainder of Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) represent a critical axis within the contemporary Himalayan security architecture. These regions are considered “indivisible parts” of the sovereign Union of India, as established by the 1947 Instrument of Accession (Singh, 2021). This legal foundation informs India’s diplomatic stance, military strategy, and broader geopolitical engagement in the region. Gilgit-Baltistan, in particular, holds significant strategic importance as the “virtual pivot” of the Himalayan arc, situated at the intersection of the Himalayas, the Karakoram, the Hindu Kush, and the Pamirs (Singh, 2021). The region’s location at this mountainous nexus has historically facilitated territorial leverage and the projection of influence along key transcontinental corridors, underscoring its persistent relevance in regional power dynamics and connectivity initiatives.