VOI World/ Desk
Violence in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) has left more than 20 people dead and dozens injured after clashes between protesters and security forces escalated across the region. The unrest has drawn sharp criticism from India, which accused Pakistan of using force to suppress dissent and cover up governance failures.
The protests were led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a civil society group that has been campaigning against political and economic policies in the region. Demonstrators have opposed the reservation of legislative seats for refugees, restrictions on political activity and what they describe as worsening economic conditions. Protesters also expressed concerns over inflation, unemployment and limitations on civil liberties.
According to local reports, clashes broke out after authorities attempted to prevent demonstrations in several parts of PoJK. Protest organisers alleged that security forces opened fire on crowds, resulting in multiple fatalities. Pakistani authorities acknowledged deaths and injuries but said protesters had used violence and attacked security personnel, prompting a response from law enforcement agencies.
Casualty figures remain disputed. While official estimates put the death toll lower, several local and regional reports have suggested that more than 20 people may have been killed, making it one of the deadliest episodes of unrest in the region in recent years.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the violence, describing it as evidence of Pakistan’s failure to address the concerns of people living in PoJK. New Delhi said the developments reflected growing public dissatisfaction and criticised what it called Islamabad’s attempts to suppress democratic voices in the region.
The protests mark a significant escalation in a movement that began as an economic campaign but has increasingly evolved into a broader challenge to governance and political representation in PoJK. Analysts say the scale of the unrest highlights deepening tensions within the region and could increase international attention on conditions in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
