Violent Non-State Actors and the Kashmir Conflict

In this study, we examine five active Violent Non-State Actors (VNSAs) and their capacity for violence in a potential conflict in the Kashmir region. The four VNSA include Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Al Qaeda. Drawing from both the Leadership for the Extreme and Dangerous for Innovative Results project, we focus on each VNSA’s organizational and leadership capabilities. Our findings suggest that two VNSA, LeT and Al Qaeda have high levels of destructive capacity based on their organizational features. The other two VNSA, HM and JeM, have moderate levels of destructive capacity. In our conclusions, we also speculate as to the potential role of the Islamic State in the Kashmir region.