The JKLF is the second separatist group to be banned by India this month in the disputed region. Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir – India’s government has for the second time this month banned a top pro-independence organisation in Indian-administered Kashmir, accusing it of “supporting extremism and militancy”.

In a statement on Friday, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs said the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) was involved in “anti-national and subversive activities intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India”.

“JKLF is supporting and inciting claims for the secession of a part of the Indian territory from the Indian union and supporting terrorists and separatist groups fighting for this purpose,” the statement said.

The ministry added that if JKLF’s activities were not curbed, it was likely that the group would “continue advocating the secession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India”.