Rawalakot/Mirpur: At least 31 people have been killed over the last 24 hours in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) after security forces opened fire on unarmed civilians.
The toll is expected to rise as many people are admitted to hospital with life threatening injuries.
Several were killed on Tuesday after Pakistan Rangers allegedly opened unprovoked fire on unarmed civilians at Rawalakot and Mirpur, as reported by TimesNow.
According to reports, 21 protesters died in Rawalakot, while 10 were killed in Mirpur.
Security personnel allegedly resorted to unprovoked firing on civilians gathered in Rawalakot during the early hours of the day. Despite the firing, thousands of people continued their protest at Chinar Chowk, refusing to disperse. Protesters remained defiant, with massive crowds still assembled at the protest site. The situation remains tense as people continue to raise slogans.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in PoJK has organised a protest march amid the ongoing ‘legislative elections’ in the region.
“The Long March caravans have reached Rawalakot city. According to information received so far, the identities of 19 deceased individuals have been confirmed, while one person did not have identification documents and sustained a bullet wound to the head; his body is present at the Palandri Hospital. Thus, the total deaths have reached at least 20. In addition, other details are contingent upon daylight breaking and the restoration of communications,” the JAAC said in an X post.
“The protesters are present at Chandni Chowk in Rawalakot City. Once daylight arrives, a gathering will be held at Shahid Chowk, where the future course of action will be announced,” it added.
The march was reportedly held after talks between JAAC and Pakistani authorities failed to reach any conclusion. Meanwhile, the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) on Tuesday urged the international community to take note of the worsening humanitarian situation and alleged rights abuses in the region.
The Pakistani government is holding election in PoJK. The elections are being held in three phases from July 27 to August 10. There are 53 seats in the so-called assembly of PoJK. While 45 are directly elected, eight seats are reserved for women, technocrats, and clerics.
Both the PPP and PML-N accused each other of rigging in multiple constituencies. The JAAC’s main demand has been the abolition of the 12 refugee seats. The government, however, refused to accept this demand.
India described the protests in PoJK as a “direct consequence” of Islamabad’s decades-long “systematic exploitation and administrative oppression” in the region under its “forcible” occupation, while also condemning the reported use of force by security agencies against the protesters.