'Dead Bodies Not Reaching Families': Tensions Escalate In PoK As Protesters Allege Fresh Firing
'Dead Bodies Not Reaching Families': Tensions Escalate In PoK As Protesters Allege Fresh Firing Reported By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 08:12 IST In Mirpur
'Dead Bodies Not Reaching Families': Tensions Escalate In PoK As Protesters Allege Fresh Firing Reported By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 08:12 IST In Mirpur, protesters claim that more than a dozen people were killed, while official accounts have reportedly indicated a lower casualty figure. Rapid Read The latest escalation comes amid months of unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. (Image: ANI/File) Tensions have sharply escalated in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), with protesters in Rawalakot and Mirpur alleging that security forces opened fire on unarmed demonstrators during an ongoing movement that has entered its eighth week. The claims, made by protest leaders and local residents, could not be independently verified, and Pakistani authorities have not publicly confirmed the scale of casualties alleged by protesters. The agitation, which participants describe as a protest for local rights, peace, and greater control over regional resources, has reportedly continued for more than 50 days.
Demonstrators say the situation has deteriorated significantly over the last three days, with heavy security deployment and repeated confrontations in several areas. According to protest representatives, large crowds gathered in Rawalakot despite the security crackdown. They allege that firing resumed against demonstrators and that the number of people targeted was far higher than officially acknowledged. In Mirpur, protesters claim that more than a dozen people were killed, while official accounts have reportedly indicated a lower casualty figure. One of the most serious allegations concerns the handling of the dead. Protesters have accused authorities of preventing bodies from reaching families and carrying out burials without the consent of relatives. They also allege that some bodies were dragged and loaded into vehicles in a manner they described as deeply disrespectful. These allegations remain unverified, and no independent forensic or judicial confirmation has emerged so far.
Demonstrators have further accused sections of the Pakistani media of underreporting the scale of the violence and misrepresenting the nature of the protests. Protest speakers claimed that social media videos and local accounts suggest a higher toll than that reflected in official statements. Additional allegations include looting of shops, theft of food supplies, and vandalism of homes by individuals described as security personnel or men in civilian or black clothing. Pakistani authorities have not publicly responded to these specific accusations. Despite the reported crackdown, protest organisers say the movement is continuing to draw support. They claim that more than 500 new participants joined the sit-in on Wednesday, insisting that the agitation will continue until their demands regarding rights, governance, and local ownership are addressed. The developments come amid renewed scrutiny of the political and security situation in PoK, where public protests over governance, economic conditions, and local autonomy have periodically triggered confrontations with the authorities.
The BriefWire