PoK Crisis: JAAC Says Nearly 40 Killed In Three Days, Pauses Long March For Funerals | Exclusive
PoK Crisis: JAAC Says Nearly 40 Killed In Three Days, Pauses Long March For Funerals | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 09:05
PoK Crisis: JAAC Says Nearly 40 Killed In Three Days, Pauses Long March For Funerals | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 09:05 IST JAAC claimed nearly 40 people were killed and hundreds injured in a crackdown by Pakistani forces, saying the long march had only been temporarily paused for funeral rites. Rapid Read Supporters of JAAC gather as they shout slogans during a protest in Rawalakot, in PoK. (Image: AFP) Fresh allegations of civilian killings and excessive use of force have emerged from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) claiming that nearly 40 people were killed over three days and hundreds injured during action by Pakistani forces. JAAC leader Umar Nazir Kashmiri alleged that security personnel opened fire on unarmed protesters and used military-grade weapons during the ongoing agitation. He also said the long march towards Muzaffarabad had been temporarily paused to allow funerals and burials, but stressed that the protest call remained active. The claims have emerged amid a prolonged internet blackout in PoK and continuing protests over basic rights, public services, ownership rights and self-governance. Separately, a Kashmiri woman appealed to India and the international community to support residents and amplify their voices. Nearly 40 Deaths Alleged Over Three Days Kashmiri claimed that reports received by the protest movement indicated nearly 40 deaths over the past three days, including about 20 in Mirpur. He, however, said the precise toll was yet to be confirmed. “We have received reports of nearly 40 martyrdoms. In Mirpur as well, nearly 20 martyrdoms, it is not yet confirmed how many but around 40 martyrdoms have occurred in total over these three days.
Hundreds of our people have been injured," he said. He accused Pakistani forces and the government of carrying out direct firing against protesters. “I believe that the worst aggression was committed by the Pakistani forces, by the Pakistani government. Straight firing was done," Kashmiri said. Kashmiri further alleged that weapons generally used along the Line of Control had been deployed against civilians in PoK. “Weapons were used, weapons that should be used on the Line of Control, weapons used against India. Modern weapons were used against the unarmed people of Jammu and Kashmir," he said. Long March Paused For Funerals Kashmiri said protesters had attempted to continue their peaceful long march and that large numbers of people had advanced beyond the Muzaffarabad boundary. “We tried to continue our peaceful long march, which had been temporarily delayed. Peacefully, hundreds of thousands of our people advanced past the Muzaffarabad boundary," he said. The march was subsequently paused, he said, because funeral prayers and burials had to be conducted for those allegedly killed in the firing. “Since we have to bury a large number of dead bodies and offer funeral prayers for many who were killed in the straight firing by the state, our companions, brothers, and sons who were martyred, temporarily, we have held the protesters there," Kashmiri said. He maintained that the long march had not been cancelled. “Our call for the long march has not been cancelled; it remains active. We will pause there, and the option to advance forward remains open to us," he said. ‘Struggle Is For Basic Rights’ Kashmiri said the agitation was not directed against Pakistan, its forces or its institutions.
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