What's Happening In PoK? 37 Killed In Crackdown By Pakistan Forces
What's Happening In PoK? 37 Killed In Crackdown By Pakistan Forces Published By, Last Updated: July 31, 2026, 17:30 IST At least 37 people were
What's Happening In PoK? 37 Killed In Crackdown By Pakistan Forces Published By, Last Updated: July 31, 2026, 17:30 IST At least 37 people were reportedly killed in PoK as protests over elections, rising costs and alleged discrimination escalated into a deadly confrontation. The JAAC, which has been leading the protest movement in PoK, insisted that demonstrators remained peaceful despite the crackdown. (Image: ANI) Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has witnessed a sharp escalation in violence, with at least 37 people, including women and children, reportedly killed after Pakistani security forces opened fire on protesters, according to sources. Clashes between security personnel and demonstrators have intensified since Monday, particularly in Rawalakot and Mirpur, where the highest number of casualties have been reported. The violence erupted during a long march organised by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad. The JAAC, which has been leading the protest movement in PoK, insisted that demonstrators remained peaceful despite the crackdown. “People have continued to stand peacefully and unarmed. God willing, our peaceful struggle against oppression and injustice will continue," the organisation said in a statement.
Pakistan Denies Civilian Deaths The Pakistan government has rejected reports of civilian casualties, claiming that members of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were present among the protesters and maintaining that operations against them would continue. Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior Affairs, Talal Chaudhary, also ruled out any possibility of talks with the protesters. “We will not talk to the protesters and law will take its course," he said. Why Are Protests Taking Place In PoK? PoK has been witnessing widespread protests since last month over rising living costs, alleged administrative neglect, political discrimination and accusations of rights violations against minorities. The current agitation is being led by the JAAC, which has called for a boycott of local body elections and has organised demonstrations across the region. The group’s campaign centres around 12 contentious seats in the PoK Legislative Assembly, which it alleges are manipulated by Pakistan’s establishment to ensure the appointment of a prime minister of its choosing. The unrest has coincided with elections to the region’s legislative assembly. India has repeatedly described the electoral exercise in PoK as an attempt by Islamabad to legitimise its control over the territory while masking what New Delhi calls serious human rights violations in the region.
The BriefWire