On 3rd Day Of Protests In PoK, 8 Civilians Killed Amid Firing By Pakistani Forces

Lahore: As violent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) against the Pakistani government continued for a third day, 8 civilians were killed on Wednesday as armed forces opened fire in an effort to control the situation.

Four people were killed in Dhirkot in Bagh district, two died in Muzaffarabad and two in Mirpur, NDTV reported citing sources. The toll went up to 10, following two deaths reported from Muzaffarabad on Tuesday.

The protesters blamed the Muzaffarabad deaths on Pakistan Rangers opening fire, and the killings on heavy shelling by security forces, including the Army, on civilians.

Widespread protests have rocked PoK since Monday. Led by the Joint Awami Action Committee, demonstrators are protesting against the denial of fundamental rights by Shehbaz Sharif’s government.

There has been a complete shutdown of markets, shops and local businesses, besides transport services being halted over the past 60 hours.

On Wednesday morning, protestors pushed large shipping containers – placed strategically on bridges to block their march to Muzaffarabad — into the river and threw stones at police and security forces.

Video clips and visuals showed dozens of protesters getting together to physically push the huge, heavy containers off the bridge.

The ‘long march’ to Muzaffarabad, which continues despite the crackdown, has listed 38 demands including abolition of 12 seats in the PoK Assembly reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan.

“Our campaign is for fundamental rights denied to our people for over 70 years… either deliver on rights or face the wrath of the people,” said JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir, warning Prime Minister Sharif’s administration to listen to them or face the consequences.