Atrocities by Pakistani Rangers in PoK: Bullets fired at protesters; 27 dead

New Delhi: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is once again gripped by unrest and violence. Protests turned violent following a ban on the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an active civil society organization in the region. Reports indicate that 11 people died and over 70 were injured in clashes between protesters and security forces in Rawalakot. This violence erupted amidst a call for a shutdown across the region for today, June 9.

According to news agencies, the situation escalated when JAAC supporters gathered outside a hospital morgue where the body of an organization activist—killed in an earlier shooting incident—was kept. Police and paramilitary forces took action to disperse the large crowd of protesters, leading to a violent confrontation.

Poonch Sector Commissioner Sardar Waheed Khan stated that four police personnel and a bystander died during the violence. He claimed that some miscreants opened fire on security forces, and six protesters were killed in the retaliatory action. Meanwhile, Police Chief Liaqat Malik reported that 23 security personnel and approximately 50 protesters were injured. Several individuals have also been taken into custody.

However, local residents and JAAC supporters have questioned the government’s claims, asserting that the actual number of civilian deaths and injuries could be higher than the official figures.

What sparked the protest?
The primary cause of the recent agitation in PoK is a decision regarding 12 reserved seats in the legislative assembly. In the 45-member assembly, these seats are reserved for refugees who claim ties to Kashmir but currently reside in other parts of Pakistan. The JAAC and other local organizations allege that this system will weaken the political representation of local residents and increase external influence. They maintain that the authority to make decisions regarding the region’s future should rest solely with the people living there. The organization has been campaigning for this cause for a long time.

Additionally, the organization has raised issues such as inflation, the power crisis, unemployment, poor administrative governance, and the region’s political neglect. Over the past two years, the JAAC organized several major protests against rising flour and electricity prices. Clashes with security forces occurred on multiple occasions during those protests as well.

The shutdown proposed for June 9 was not limited to opposition against reserved seats alone; protesters also sought to voice their dissent against the ban imposed on the JAAC, the internet shutdown, and the killing of one of the organization’s leaders. Last week, the regional administration declared the JAAC a banned organization under anti-terrorism laws. The government alleges that the organization’s activities posed a threat to law and order. Tensions in the region have been steadily rising ever since.

Human Rights Organizations Express Concern
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also expressed serious concern regarding these developments. The Commission stated that it is deeply worried about the violence in Rawalakot and the ban imposed on the JAAC. It questioned the justification for banning a political and social movement under anti-terrorism laws.

In its statement, the HRCP noted that grievances among the local population are mounting due to limited political participation. Dialogue is essential in such a climate, but it can only be meaningful if people are granted the right to peaceful protest and their issues are addressed transparently. The Commission has urged both the central and regional governments to initiate dialogue and de-escalate tensions. It also announced plans to dispatch a fact-finding team.

Security Tightened Ahead of Elections
Meanwhile, JAAC leaders have made it clear that their movement will continue despite the ban. In a video message posted on the social media platform X, organization leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir alleged that the state is carrying out a “massacre” of the people in Rawalakot.

Elections are scheduled in the area for July 27, prompting the administration to tighten security measures. Mobile data services have been suspended in several areas, and bans have been imposed on large gatherings. There are also reports that the JAAC’s central office has been sealed.

In light of the escalating tension, the UK, Australia, and Canada have issued travel advisories for their citizens. These nations warned of potential road blockades, disruptions to communication services, and restricted movement due to heavy security force deployments. Foreign nationals have been advised to stay away from protests and adhere to instructions from the local administration. The rising tension in PoK appears to be evolving from a local political dispute into a matter of international concern.