SRINAGAR: At least 11 individuals have died and scores sustained injuries amidst escalating clashes between protesters and security forces in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoJK), leading to widespread shutdowns and internet blackouts. The developments have drawn international attention to alleged human rights abuses in the region.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the violence commenced after authorities banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a civil society alliance. This alliance had been spearheading protests concerning political representation, rising living costs, and governance issues in the lead-up to legislative elections scheduled for July 27.
According to reports, at least 11 people were killed during confrontations in Rawalakot on Sunday night, which prompted a significant crackdown by Pakistani authorities. Residents and protesters indicated that major cities and towns across the region came to a standstill on Tuesday following a strike call issued by the now-banned organisation.
The Muzaffarabad government has reportedly announced a bounty of 10 million Pakistani rupees for information leading to the arrest of four JAAC leaders: Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Khawaja Mehran Arshad, and Sardar Aman Khan. Sedition proceedings have also been initiated against some leaders, who are accused of engaging in anti-state activities through speeches, videos, and written materials.
A complete shutter-down strike was observed across key areas including Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Bhimber, and Kotli. Commercial establishments remained closed, public transport was largely absent from the roads, and internet and mobile data services were suspended in numerous parts of the region. A resident of Muzaffarabad described the region’s largest city, with a population of 550,000, as completely deserted and devoid of activity.
The unrest intensified after the JAAC called for a region-wide protest against the reservation of 12 legislative assembly seats for refugees residing in Pakistan. Protesters allege that this arrangement facilitates Islamabad’s influence over electoral outcomes in the region. The strike and protests followed violent clashes in Rawalakot, where Pakistani Rangers and police confronted demonstrators during funeral processions and protest gatherings.
India has strongly condemned the violence and urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson stated that reports indicate severe police brutality in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of several protestors and injuries to many. He expressed hope that the international community would hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds and abuses.
The spokesperson also accused Pakistan of disseminating misinformation to divert attention from alleged human rights violations, describing it as a desperate attempt to conceal its failings and deflect scrutiny. This pattern of fabricated news and videos emanating from Pakistan was highlighted as a tactic to cover up its human rights abuses.
The crackdown has raised concerns among international rights organisations and foreign lawmakers. Amnesty International described the response, which included internet shutdowns, mass arrests, and the use of deadly force, as a reflection of an alarming deterioration of human rights in the region. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has also voiced its concern over the escalating confrontations and the loss of life.
Furthermore, over 50 British parliamentarians reportedly communicated their concerns to the UK Foreign Secretary regarding communication blackouts, arrests, and deteriorating conditions. The United States Embassy in Islamabad, along with the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, issued advisories pertaining to the prevailing security situation.
The JAAC, formed in 2023, is a coalition comprising traders, lawyers, transporters, and civil society groups advocating for economic relief, political reforms, and greater autonomy in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Previous protests organised by the group in 2024 and 2025, focusing on electricity tariffs and flour prices, also witnessed violence.
The current agitation is primarily centred on political representation and the demand for the abolition of assembly seats reserved for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir who are settled in Pakistan. Pakistani authorities assert that these measures are essential for maintaining public order, while protesters and human rights groups allege excessive force and suppression of dissent. Legislative elections in the region are scheduled for July 27, amidst rising political tensions and heightened security measures.
The Chenab Times News Desk