PoK Crisis Deepens: JKHRO Documents 31 New Deaths, Taking Civilian Toll To 75 | Exclusive
PoK Crisis Deepens: JKHRO Documents 31 New Deaths, Taking Civilian Toll To 75 | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 09:22 IST Citing
PoK Crisis Deepens: JKHRO Documents 31 New Deaths, Taking Civilian Toll To 75 | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 09:22 IST Citing field reports and witness statements, JKHRO alleged that security forces used tear gas, baton charges, live ammunition and sniper fire against civilians. Rapid Read Police officials patrol an area amid the ongoing violence in PoK. Image/PTI The documented civilian death toll in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has risen to 75, according to a report that accused Pakistan’s security forces of using live ammunition during the Rawalakot Long March. The Jammu and Kashmir Human Rights Observatory (JKHRO), in its July 28 report, documented 31 civilian deaths during the security operation against the march on July 27 and 28. These were in addition to the 44 deaths it had earlier verified between June 5 and July 26. The findings have drawn further scrutiny within Pakistan, with the Human Rights Council of Pakistan questioning the national media’s silence over the worsening crisis. The rights body expressed concern over the alleged violence and loss of life, called for transparent and impartial investigations, and urged national media channels to report responsibly on the situation.
“Silence breeds questions, while justice demands transparency," chairman Jamshed Hussain said. Rawalakot March Met With Live Ammunition According to JKHRO, the July 27 march towards Muzaffarabad followed 51 days of peaceful sit-ins and failed negotiations between the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the PoK administration and the Pakistan government. The report alleged that demonstrators encountered a heavy deployment of PoK Police, Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps personnel along the march routes and at key locations in Rawalakot. Field reports and witness statements cited by the observatory described the use of tear gas, baton charges and live ammunition against civilians. It also recorded allegations of sniper fire. Confrontations, security cordons and firing incidents were reported from Dhareck, Eidgah, D-Chowk, Nala Bazar, Matyalmera, Sangola, Chinar, Circuit House, Gurdwara Dharmsal and routes near the District Complex. JKHRO said restrictions on movement and medical access worsened the situation, with critically injured people reportedly forced to travel nearly 40 kilometres to Palandri Hospital. Road blockades and delays in evacuation contributed to deaths from severe blood loss, the report claimed. Five More Mirpur Deaths Under Verification JKHRO said it had received preliminary information about five additional deaths in Mirpur on July 28, though the cases were still being verified.
The BriefWire