Over 30 Dead, 200 Injured As Army Opens Fire On Protesters In PoK
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has been rocked by deadly protests over political representation, economic grievances, and the ban on JAAC, leading to allegations of human rights abuses.
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is witnessing its most serious unrest in years, with violent clashes between protesters and security forces leaving several people dead and many injured.
The unrest has been building since 2023, when the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)—a coalition of traders, transporters, lawyers, students, and civil society groups—was formed. The group protested against high electricity bills, rising prices, inflation, and a lack of local political representation.
Mass protests in 2024 forced Pakistan's government to announce relief measures. However, JAAC claimed many promises were either delayed or never fully implemented, keeping tensions alive.
The upcoming July 2026 elections triggered the latest protests. JAAC opposes 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living elsewhere in Pakistan, arguing that non-residents should not influence PoK's politics. The group demanded reforms and warned of large-scale protests if its demands were ignored.
Tensions escalated after authorities refused to remove the seats, a court upheld their constitutional status, JAAC was banned, many supporters were arrested, and internet restrictions were imposed.
JAAC has rejected being labelled a terrorist organization, saying it is fighting for economic and political rights. However, authorities point to the group's involvement in previous violent protests. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has also questioned the decision to ban JAAC under anti-terrorism laws.
Following the ban, JAAC called for a region-wide strike, shutting down businesses and transport across PoK. Large protests erupted in Rawalakot and other towns, leading to clashes with security forces.
Violence intensified after a trader was allegedly shot dead during protests on 5 June. On 7 June, fresh clashes broke out outside a hospital mortuary in Rawalakot, where protesters had gathered. Police claimed JAAC activists used rifles and petrol bombs, prompting security forces to respond. Officials reported six deaths, while local residents and activists claimed the toll was much higher, with some reports suggesting dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.
A planned 300-km march from Bhimber to Muzaffarabad on 9 June was blocked by authorities, but rallies continued across Muzaffarabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Dadial, Rawalakot, Sudhnoti, and Tattapani.
Critics accused Pakistan's authorities of using excessive force against protesters. Human rights activist Aladeen and India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also criticized Pakistan's handling of the unrest and alleged human rights abuses.
Meanwhile, the PoK administration announced a reward of 1 crore Pakistani rupees for information leading to the arrest of four JAAC leaders.
While the immediate trigger for the unrest was the dispute over reserved assembly seats and the ban on JAAC, the deeper causes lie in years of economic hardship, political grievances, and allegations that earlier government promises were never fulfilled.
