Residents in Indian-controlled Kashmir have begun casting votes in the second phase of a staggered election for a local government. for the first time in decades the election is not boycotted by separatists.

Foreign diplomats from 15 countries were allowed to observe local elections in India's Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, as New Delhi highlighted the first vote in the disputed Himalayan territory in a decade.

Residents of Indian-controlled Kashmir are participating in a local election under tight security, marking the first time in decades that separatist groups are not boycotting the vote. For decades, separatists in Kashmir boycotted elections,