DHAKA: Voters are going to the polls in India’s Jammu and Kashmir state where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP is trying to win power for the first time.

More than a million people are eligible to vote in the first of five phases in staggered elections for the Muslim-majority state’s 87 assembly seats.

The disputed Kashmir region is claimed by both India and Pakistan, reports the BBC.

It has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years and the rivals have fought two wars over the region.

Thousands of soldiers were deployed in and around polling stations as voting began early Tuesday in 15 seats, amid fears of street protests and militant attacks.

Results are due on 23 December.

Voting is also going in the central state of Jharkhand, where the BJP is also attempting to gain power.

BDST: 1928 HRS, NOV 25, 2014