Six civilians lost their lives in Rawalakot as Pakistani security forces fired during clashes amidst escalating anti-government demonstrations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The clashes occurred near Rawalakot’s New Bus Terminal following a crackdown by security personnel, with victims including Zahid Mughal, Zafar Mughal, Arsalan Akbar, and Wajid Hayat, as reported by NDTV.
Locals in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir have been engaging in significant anti-government protests for weeks, initially centered on basic rights but now challenging Pakistan’s control over the region. Protest leader Javed Iqbal, addressing a gathering in Rawalakot, criticized the authorities, stating, “When we ask for flour, we get bullets; when we ask for electricity, we get bullets; when we ask for water, we get bullets.”
Videos circulating on social media depict numerous locals, particularly women, protesting against repression, high taxes, power tariffs, and arbitrary arrests in the occupied territory. The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has called for a long march towards Muzaffarabad on July 15, urging widespread participation in the protest across the region.
India has condemned Pakistan for its handling of the protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, attributing the unrest to Islamabad’s prolonged exploitation and infringement of fundamental rights. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, criticized Pakistan for responding to the protests with excessive force, including police brutality, blocking essential supplies, and internet blackouts, calling for international accountability for these actions.
