Escalating Protests Erupt in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Amid Government Crackdown
Intensified Demonstrations in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir
Protests have surged in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following a civil rights organization's call for widespread demonstrations against a government crackdown. Activists report that one individual was killed and several others sustained injuries when security forces opened fire on protesters. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) organized these protests, demanding the release of detained leaders and activists after a series of arrests in recent weeks.
Reports indicate that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) faction in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has been vocal on social media, stating that protests are ongoing throughout the region in support of basic rights and in solidarity with a sit-in in Rawalakot. The PTI noted, "Protests continue across the state in solidarity with the provision of basic rights and the Dharna in Dereh (Rawalakot). Hundreds of people, including women, are participating in the protest in Charhoi," the party stated.
In another update, PTI accused police and Pakistan Rangers of using force against demonstrators in Amb village, located in the Dadyal area of Mirpur district. They reported, "Police and Rangers' shelling and firing on peaceful protesters at Dadyal Amb's location. One person has died, and multiple individuals have been injured due to Rangers' firing."
The JAAC confirmed that one person was killed and several others injured due to the actions of Pakistani security forces, who reportedly opened fire and shelled protesters. Thousands, including women, children, and elderly residents, gathered at the Sardar Ghulam Hussain Khan Sports Stadium in Abbaspor as part of a broader campaign advocating for basic rights and the release of detained leaders, including JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir. The group claimed that security forces employed live ammunition and shelling to disperse what they described as peaceful protests, resulting in several critical injuries.
Large protest caravans continued to arrive at the sit-in site in Rawalakot, with demonstrations also occurring in various other regions of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The JAAC noted that members of the Kashmiri diaspora held protests in Auckland, New Zealand, demanding the release of detained activists. These latest demonstrations come amid rising tensions between the JAAC and Pakistani authorities. On June 30, the committee criticized Islamabad for preventing a political delegation led by opposition figures from entering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, labeling it an attempt to stifle political dissent.
Activists have alleged that Pakistani authorities are utilizing drones to surveil protest sites, leading some local leaders to advocate for a boycott of the upcoming regional elections scheduled for July 27. The JAAC has urged protesters to remain peaceful, carry white flags, and persist in their demands for what they consider fundamental rights.
Separately, activist Amjad Ayub Mirza reported that over 600 JAAC members and supporters have been detained following the arrest of Shaukat Nawaz Mir. He stated, "The situation in Pakistani-occupied Jammu and Kashmir is deteriorating rapidly. Since the arrest of JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir, more than 600 workers and activists have been apprehended." Meanwhile, Amnesty International has condemned Pakistan's approach to the protests ahead of the regional elections, accusing authorities of employing excessive measures to suppress peaceful political dissent. The organization criticized the designation of the JAAC as a "proscribed organization," calling it a disproportionate restriction on freedom of association and peaceful political activity.