A new, worrying pattern is emerging in Indian-administered Kashmir, where militants are targeting members of the small Hindu community for the first time in decades.

Targeted killings are not uncommon in Kashmir, and the range of victims is wide. But the number of slayings motivated by the religious identity of the victims, especially Kashmiri Pandits, has been steadily growing over the last couple of years, and has accelerated in the past few months. 

In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Praveen Donthi draws upon interviews with residents to explore the implications of this violence.