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Violence has escalated sharply in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), with protest groups alleging that more than 30 people have been killed and around 200 injured after security forces opened fire on demonstrators protesting against economic distress, governance failures and the lack of political representation in the region.
The unrest has centred on the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a coalition of civil society groups that has emerged as the face of a widening protest movement in PoJK. The organisation has been mobilising public anger over soaring inflation, steep electricity tariffs, unemployment and long-standing political grievances.
Tensions reached a flashpoint after authorities reportedly banned the JAAC and launched a crackdown on its supporters ahead of a region-wide shutdown call scheduled for Tuesday.
According to official accounts cited by international media, at least 11 people were killed, and more than 70 were injured during clashes between protesters and security personnel in Rawalakot over the weekend. Pakistani authorities said both civilians and members of the security forces were among the casualties.
However, JAAC leaders and activists have disputed the official figures, alleging that the actual toll is far higher. They claim that security personnel opened fire on mourners and protesters gathered in Rawalakot, resulting in more than 30 deaths and nearly 200 injuries. Independent verification of these claims remains difficult amid restrictions in the region.
Authorities have deployed additional contingents of police and Rangers across several districts to contain the unrest. Internet and digital communication services have also reportedly been suspended in parts of PoJK as fears grow that the protests could spread further.
The demonstrations mark the latest phase of months of simmering public discontent over rising living costs and allegations of administrative neglect. Protest leaders have increasingly broadened their demands to include greater political representation and accountability from the authorities.
The developments have drawn attention beyond the region. Members of the Kashmiri diaspora have staged demonstrations overseas, while some lawmakers in the United Kingdom have voiced concern over reports of deaths and injuries during the Rawalakot crackdown.
India Calls International Community to Hold Pakistan Accountable
Against this backdrop, India on Tuesday accused Pakistan of attempting to divert attention from its own human rights record in PoJK and called on the international community to take note of the developments.
Addressing a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Islamabad had resorted to misinformation to conceal its failures.
“We continue to see in this context a pattern of fake news and videos emanating from Pakistan. It is a desperate attempt by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and deflect attention away from its human rights abuses,” Jaiswal said.
Referring to the violence in PoJK, he added:
“There are reports of severe police brutality in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in which several people have been killed and many injured. We hope the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds and abuses.”
The latest unrest places renewed international focus on the situation in PoJK, where recurring protests over economic hardship have increasingly evolved into a broader challenge to the region’s governance structure. With competing narratives emerging from official sources and protest groups, the full scale of the casualties remains contested, even as demands mount for an independent assessment of the violence.
Team BharatShakti
