Srinagar, April 30 -- Kargil- A decision by Ladakh's administration to carve out five new districts has sparked a sharp political backlash, with leaders in Kargil accusing the government of attempting to fracture a rare political unity between the region's Buddhist and Muslim communities.

On 27 April, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena formally announced the creation of five new districts-Nubra, Sham and Changthang in Leh, and Zanskar and Drass in Kargil-raising the Union Territory's total number of districts from two to seven. The administration described the move as fulfilling "long-pending aspirations" of local populations.

However, the announcement has exposed deepening fault lines within Ladakh's political landscape.

Le...