PoJK: After Rawalakot, violence spreads to Mirpur as protesters allege fresh killings
Mirpur, July 28
The unrest in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir has reportedly spread to Mirpur after the deadly violence in Rawalakot, with several social media accounts alleging that Pakistani security forces opened fire on civilians during fresh protests. According to reports, several protesters have been killed in the incident.
The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) alleged on X that "Security forces opened direct fire on unarmed civilians in Mirpur, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The use of lethal force against peaceful, unarmed people is unacceptable and must be subject to an immediate, independent international investigation."
The reported Mirpur incident comes just hours after the deadly crackdown in Rawalakot, where protesters participating in the Awami Huqooq Long March accused Pakistani security forces of using indiscriminate force against demonstrators attempting to continue their march towards Muzaffarabad.
Earlier, in a series of posts on X following the Rawalakot violence, the Joint Awami Action Committee accused sections of the media of misrepresenting the events, rejecting claims that protesters had attempted to forcibly enter the city.
The committee maintained that Rawalakot belonged to its people and alleged that Pakistani security forces shelled and opened fire on peaceful, unarmed civilians during the crackdown.
JAAC further claimed that the number of people killed between June 5 and July 28 had risen to 67, referring to the deceased as "martyrs" and vowing to continue its movement. The claimed death toll has not been independently verified.
The committee also described the emotional toll of the violence, stating that the scale of the bloodshed had left survivors traumatised and given them a deeper understanding of the suffering endured by families who lost loved ones in previous crackdowns.
The movement has accused authorities of suppressing peaceful protests and undermining the democratic process through alleged electoral rigging, political interference and systematic suppression of democratic rights in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Protest leaders allege widespread manipulation of elections, arrests of activists, intimidation of political opponents and heavy deployment of security forces to curb dissent.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The international community needs to wake up. This is not just about Kashmir anymore - it's about systematic suppression of democratic rights in Pakistan-occupied areas. When peaceful protesters are shot at, the world must act. My heart goes out to the families of the 67 martyrs. 🇮🇳
While I sympathize with the victims, we must also question the role of local leadership here. Why are they encouraging people to march into areas where they know the military will open fire? The people of PoJK deserve better than being used as pawns in someone else's political game. Peaceful protest is a right, but safety must come first.
The hypocrisy is staggering. Pakistan talks about human rights and Kashmir liberation, but here they are mowing down their own Punjabi-dominated security forces killing Kashmiris in PoJK. This should be a wake-up call for everyone who thinks PoJK is "liberated." It's a prison with barbed wire and trigger-happy soldiers.
This is deeply troubling. As an Indian, I feel the pain of every Kashmiri brother and sister. But we must also demand similar accountability from our own security forces in Indian Kashmir. Let this be a moment for introspection in both countries - violence against civilians is never acceptable, anywhere. Justice for the victims.
India must take a strong diplomatic stand and expose these brutalities at the UN. The people of PoJK are Indian citizens at heart, and their blood is on Pakistani hands. Jai Hind 🇮🇳
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