At least nine people were killed during clashes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, as regional tensions escalated amid a planned protest march toward the capital, Muzaffarabad. According to reports from Al Jazeera and AFP, the latest fatalities bring the total death toll since protests began on June 4 to 28, with 79 others injured. The region remains on edge as authorities implement strict security measures to contain the movement of protesters seeking political reform.
The violence erupted in two separate incidents. In the first, security personnel conducting a raid on the outskirts of Rawalakot town in Poonch district were fired upon after receiving intelligence about a weapons cache, resulting in the death of one officer. In a separate clash in the Sudhnoti district, a security convoy was blocked by demonstrators. Authorities reported that the convoy was pelted with stones and gunfire, leading to a response from security forces that left seven protesters and one police officer dead. Police officials have maintained that the forces acted in self-defence during the confrontation.
The unrest is rooted in a long-standing dispute over political representation regarding 12 legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees who migrated to Pakistan after 1947. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which is spearheading the protest movement, contends that the current arrangement allows Pakistan-based political parties to wield undue influence over the local government and divert development funds meant for the region’s residents. Tensions peaked last month when the region’s Supreme Court ruled that the seats were constitutionally protected, effectively barring their abolition without a constitutional amendment.
Following the court ruling, the JAAC intensified its campaign, leading the government to proscribe the group under anti-terrorism laws on June 5. Despite the restrictions, protesters have continued to organize. On Wednesday, demonstrators gathered in Rawalakot, intending to march toward Muzaffarabad. Authorities have responded by severely limiting internet and mobile phone access across the region, complicating communication between the protestors and the outside world.
Munir Qureshi, the deputy commissioner of Muzaffarabad, stated that the situation in the capital remains calm, despite the volatility in other areas. Police Inspector General Liaqat Ali Malik estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 people were gathered in Rawalakot as of Wednesday evening, though he noted no further violence occurred on that day. To manage the unrest, approximately 4,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed throughout the territory ahead of the upcoming elections scheduled for July 27. As the standoff persists, the region remains caught in a cycle of protest and security crackdowns, creating significant uncertainty for the local population.
