Kashmir:

Kashmir is located in the northwestern section of India.  It sits at the base of the Himalayan Mountains between Pakistan and India.  The region is also home to Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs.  Today, it is divided among three countries creating a major territorial dispute,  mainly centered around religious difference and land.  Pakistan controls the northwest portion, India controls the central and southern portion, and China controls the northeastern portion. 

Though these regions are controlled by the nations mentioned above, neither India nor Pakistan has formally recognized the rule of the areas claimed by the other. India claims those areas, including the area "ceded" to China by Pakistan, while Pakistan claims the entire region.

Numerous human rights organizations have condemned the abuses in Kashmir.   Kashmir, however, is not stilling by doing nothing to assert control over the area.  Kashmir militants have been coming into the Valley to fight the Indian security forces, as well as carry out attacks against civil targets for decades.

This is complex region of the world and must be included in any unit on: modern world issues, the world since 1945, and/or modern global concerns.  The issues at play in Kashmir are religious, environmental, and political.  Central Asia is a hot spot for activity today.