IS has a chance to expand in Asia with Kashmir dispute raging on

Shaimaa Hefzy

Tensions keep rising in the Jammu and Kashmir region, amid a geostrategic conflict between India and Pakistan.

The tensions, however, turn the region into a safe refuge for terrorist organizations, especially al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Ahmed al-Beheri, a researcher at think tank Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said terrorist and militant groups would benefit the most from the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan.

“Some of these groups can receive support under the claim that it would stage attacks against a country that acts against Muslims,” he said.

He added that the conflict would make it easier for terrorist groups to recruit militants ready to fight against the Indian military.

Al-Beheri told The Reference that all options are open in the Indian-Pakistani dispute, especially in the presence of tensions between the two countries.

The United States will not likely allow the two states to reach the point of actual confrontation. This is particularly so with the Middle East getting more tense because of the showdown between the US and Iran.

On August 5, the Indian government unilaterally wiped out the autonomy of the restive Kashmir region, sending in thousands of army troops to quell any possible unrest the move would bring.

Al-Beheri said a growth in the tension over Kashmir between India and Pakistan would change the balance of power in the region and also benefit terrorist organizations only.

“This is especially so if Indian troops get involved in violations,” al-Beheri said.

He added that the conflict would open the door terrorist organizations active in the region to take root and grow, especially the Islamic State group which has its own branches there.

The Islamic State group is present already in a number of neighboring countries. The group tries to gain presence in Pakistan and Afghanistan, after it lost its caliphate in Syria and Iraq.

Al-Qaeda is also active in the region. Affiliated organizations, such as Taliban, are also expected to enter the arena against India in the coming days.