Dozens of people have lost their lives, and hundreds have been injured in ongoing violent clashes between law enforcement and protesters in Rawalakot city, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Commissioner of Poonch district in PoK, Sardar Waheed Khan, reported 12 deaths and injuries to security officials due to clashes with members of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). However, conflicting reports on social media suggest a significantly higher death toll, though these claims remain unverified.
The clashes erupted following the Pakistani authorities’ ban on JAAC under anti-terrorism laws before their scheduled protest. The group had been demonstrating against economic and political issues in PoK. Videos circulating on social media depicted Pakistani police’s harsh treatment of civilians, drawing global criticism from human rights advocates. Sabine Kayani, a UK-based Pakistani human rights lawyer, condemned the authorities’ response to the unrest in PoK.
The JAAC’s protest centered on the demand to eliminate 12 reserved seats in the legislative assembly for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan. As a result, markets were closed, and traffic was sparse in Muzaffarabad during the strike. Demonstrations led by JAAC members in Mirpur and Kotli witnessed significant participation, with legal professionals boycotting proceedings to protest the arrest of a senior lawyer affiliated with JAAC.
