India’s 900,000-strong occupation force in IIOJK has devastated the local economy, exploiting resources and leaving millions in poverty. The region is trapped in an ‘occupation economy,’ where the priorities of the occupying forces take precedence over the basic survival of the local population.

On October 27, 1947, the 1st Battalion, Sikh Regiment,  under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ranjit Rai,  was airlifted to Srinagar Airport. They captured the Srinagar airfield. The 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment, under the command of Major Somnath Sharma, was subsequently deployed to occupy the remainder of Srinagar (Lieutenant Colonel Ranjit Rai was killed during the early skirmishes near Baramulla). The 1st Battalion, Punjab Regiment, was deployed to augment the occupying forces. To provide critical fire support, artillery units of the Indian Army were deployed. The Indian Air Force (IAF), utilizing Dakota transport aircraft, played a pivotal role in the rapid deployment of occupying troops. Subsequently, additional battalions from the Dogra Regiment and the Grenadier Regiment were deployed to reinforce the occupation force.
The region of Jammu and Kashmir has been under Indian military occupation for nearly 30,000 days. The occupying forces comprise the Indian Army's XV Corps (Chinar Corps) in the Kashmir Valley, XVI Corps (Nagrota Corps) in the Jammu region, and XIV Corps in the Ladakh region. Additionally, the Indian military presence includes XIV Corps (Fire and Fury Corps), 65 battalions of Rashtriya Rifles, and border security forces like the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).  
India's total occupation force now exceeds 900,000 personnel; one of every three Indian soldiers serves as an occupation soldier. And there is one occupation soldier for every 20 residents of Jammu and Kashmir. 
This extensive presence of over 900,000 Indian occupation forces over 78 years has instilled an 'occupation economy’ where the needs of the occupying forces take precedence over the welfare of the 14 million local populace. An ‘occupation economy’ essentially refers to the economic conditions and structures that arise in a region under foreign military control where the occupying power imposes its economic priorities while exploiting the local population and resources. 
The crushing weight of a brutish militarization, imposed for nearly 30,000 days, has siphoned off almost all of Jammu and Kashmir's vast resources to fuel the insatiable demands of the Indian occupation army. This draconian diversion of resources has exacted a devastating toll on civilian infrastructure, crippling the region's economic growth and plunging its 14 million residents into a cycle of impoverishment and despair.  

The region of Jammu and Kashmir has been under Indian military occupation for nearly 30,000 days. The occupying forces comprise the Indian Army's XV Corps (Chinar Corps) in the Kashmir Valley, XVI Corps (Nagrota Corps) in the Jammu region, and XIV Corps in the Ladakh region.

In the pre-Indian occupation, Jammu and Kashmir was known for three things: its rich agricultural heritage, thriving handicraft industry, and burgeoning tourism. Crops such as rice, saffron, wheat, and barley were staples, while fruit orchards, especially those cultivating apples and cherries, were widespread. 
Pre-Indian occupation, Jammu and Kashmir’s handicrafts, including the world-famous Kashmiri shawls, pashmina wool, carpet weaving, and papier-mâché products, had achieved global recognition for their fine craftsmanship and intricate designs. The economic life of Jammu and Kashmir revolved around these industries, with skilled artisans contributing to both local and international markets. 
Pre-Indian occupation, tourism in Jammu and Kashmir flourished because of the idyllic landscape. Pre-Indian occupation, Srinagar had become a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors. The natural beauty of Dal Lake, the charming houseboats, and the lush meadows of Gulmarg attracted travelers. At the same time, pilgrimage tourism also thrived, with sites like Vaishno Devi and Amarnath Cave drawing religious visitors. Pre-Indian occupation, scenic charm made Jammu and Kashmir a prosperous and sought-after region. 
In the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), there are frequent military operations, regular curfews, restrictions on movement and trade, widespread appropriation of land for military purposes, unfair taxes, and forced labor. 

Pre-Indian occupation, Jammu and Kashmir’s handicrafts, including the world-famous Kashmiri shawls, pashmina wool, carpet weaving, and papier-mâché products, had achieved global recognition for their fine craftsmanship and intricate designs.

In the IIOJK, the ground reality is that the Indian occupying forces have drained the economic vitality of the region, leaving behind an impoverished population unable to access basic services or engage in meaningful economic activity. The occupation economy has created a system of dependency and underdevelopment, where the occupying power's interests are prioritized while the economic prospects of the native population are systematically undermined. 
In the pre-Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, the local population was self-sufficient and prosperous. In the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the local population now struggles to survive under the weight of military presence, restricted freedoms, and an economy geared towards the interests of the occupying power. 
In the IIOJK, the poverty rate has surged, with more than 45 percent of the population living below the poverty line. In the IIOJK, crop yields have significantly declined, and 70 percent of farmers now face financial instability, unable to access markets due to trade restrictions. In the IIOJK, over 300,000 artisans have lost their livelihoods due to the decline in demand and disruption of supply chains caused by the occupation. In the IIOJK, tourism, which used to be a cornerstone of the region’s economy, has been decimated, with the number of tourist arrivals dropping by nearly 80 percent since the beginning of the occupation. This decline has led to widespread unemployment in hospitality and related sectors, further exacerbating the economic hardship. 
Four thousand kilometers away from Jammu and Kashmir lies Palestine, a land echoing with the cries of the dispossessed. Another occupying army and another 'occupation economy' were scarred by the 1948 'catastrophe' known as the Nakba. This military-led upheaval, marked by the formation of the State of Israel, witnessed the brutal expulsion of over 750,000 Palestinians from their ancestral homes, giving birth to another occupation economy. 
Since the Israeli occupation, Palestinian territories have faced severe economic and social hardship. Agricultural lands were confiscated or destroyed, and trade routes were severed, with over 565 movement obstacles, 49 checkpoints, and 304 roadblocks established, severely restricting movement. The West Bank's industries dwindled under economic pressure, and unemployment soared, particularly among the youth, with rates reaching as high as 60 percent. In Gaza, the population, now one of the most densely concentrated in the world, has become highly dependent on international aid, with over 80 percent relying on humanitarian assistance. The poverty rate exceeds 50 percent, and basic needs like food, water, and healthcare remain unmet for many families. Between 1967 and 2019, Israel confiscated around 150,000 acres of Palestinian land, displacing farmers and destroying agricultural livelihoods. The economic isolation of Gaza has worsened, with poverty and scarcity defining the lives of its inhabitants.
The brutal Indian occupation forces in Jammu and Kashmir have engineered a sinister 'occupation economy.' The occupying Indian forces in IIOJK have systematically dismantled the self-sufficiency and prosperity of the local population. The people of Jammu and Kashmir now endure unimaginable hardships, as once-thriving communities fight for survival under the suffocating grip of relentless military dominance, crushed freedoms, and economies mercilessly exploited for the benefit of the occupying forces.

The writer is an eminent analyst who regularly contributes for national and international print and electronic media. 
X: @SaleemFarrukh