Kashmir Celebrates Ramadan Despite Strikes

Kashmir used to be a favored place to spend the summer. Often described as the Switzerland of Asia and a paradise on earth, the valley is a cool retreat from India's otherwise blistering heat. Yet these days, few visitors venture out to the legendary valley in June or July, as tension and violence have tended to keep the area captive in summer months. However, that hasn't stopped the region from celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Separatist groups in Indian-held Kashmir have been fighting an exhaustive battle with the Indian government since 1989, and militants and administration are caught up in an endless spiral of militant attacks and military crackdowns. While the conflict knew its bloodiest years from 1991 to 1994, when over 5,000 people died, anti-government sentiments ran high again in 2007, and translated into regular massive demonstrations and protests.

According to Al Jazeera, the conflict has claimed over 70,000 lives since 1989. 8,000 people are still missing and over 25,000 children were orphaned. Last summer alone left almost 200 people dead.

Take a look at some astonishing pictures as the Kashmiri capital Srinagar celebrates Ramadan, a day before Srinagar was paralyzed by a general strike.