The crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) by Pakistani security agencies persists, escalating in aggression as protesters stand firm. Officials reveal a disturbing trend of security forces now targeting women and children indiscriminately. In Dhamol village, Pakistani forces resorted to shelling to deter women and children from protesting.
The situation has raised concerns as security forces in PoK have not only resorted to firing at protesters but have also blocked essential food supplies into the region. Reports indicate a severe humanitarian crisis unfolding, with people facing starvation and alleging deliberate attempts to harm them. Despite pleas for basic necessities, the establishment seems focused on suppressing the protests.
Field Marshal Asim Munir’s directives to employ forceful measures, including targeting unarmed civilians, have exacerbated the situation. Munir’s orders to quell protests at any cost, even if it involves using brute force against women and children, have sparked fears of a deepening crisis. The security forces’ actions, including preventing families from claiming bodies, have drawn condemnation for their brutality and lack of respect for human rights.
Calls for intervention from international bodies like Amnesty International and the United Nations have intensified as PoK protesters seek global attention to their plight. The protesters demand the release of arrested individuals, restoration of human rights, employment opportunities, improved healthcare, education, and reforms in governance. Saad Ansari, an advocate, emphasizes the need for international human rights organizations and media to shed light on their grievances.
