- More than 30 civilians have reportedly been killed and over 33 injured in a brutal crackdown by Pakistani security forces on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) over the last two days.
- The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has officially appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council and international rights organisations for an immediate, independent investigation into the unlawful killings.
- Authorities continue to impose communication blackouts and suspended services across PoK, stripping citizens of basic rights and shielding the brutal crackdown from scrutiny.
- The phase one of the regional elections in Mirpur division saw an estimated voter turnout of below 10 per cent, sharply contradicting official figures of 45 per cent turnout.
Protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have escalated dramatically as security forces launched a brutal crackdown on demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of over 30 civilians and injuries to more than 33 others. The violence erupted during a long march organized by the Joint Action Committee (JAAC) from Rawalakote to Muzaffarabad, where security forces reportedly employed lethal force against peaceful protesters.12
In response to the violence, the JAAC has formally appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council and various international rights organizations, demanding an immediate and independent investigation into the unlawful killings. They are also calling for an immediate halt to the use of lethal force and accountability for any excessive or unlawful actions taken by security personnel.3
The situation in PoK has been exacerbated by ongoing communication blackouts and the suspension of services, which have stripped citizens of their basic rights and shielded the brutal crackdown from external scrutiny. These measures have raised serious concerns about human rights violations in the region, as authorities attempt to control the narrative surrounding the protests and the subsequent violence.4
“The crackdown reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 30 civilians,” sources indicated, highlighting the severity of the situation. The international community is now watching closely as calls for accountability grow louder amidst the escalating unrest in PoK.
“Pakistani security forces have reportedly used lethal force against protesters, leading to over 33 injuries. The Joint Awami Action Committee has called for an independent investigation into the unlawful killings and the imposition of communication blackouts across PoK continues to shield the crackdown from scrutiny.”
