KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Oct 3: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has turned into a battlefield after massive anti-government protests spiraled into violent clashes with security forces, leaving at least 12 people dead and over 200 injured.
The agitation, which began as a series of demonstrations against high electricity tariffs, inflation, and lack of basic subsidies, quickly transformed into a larger movement targeting what protesters described as “decades of neglect” by Islamabad and the powerful Pakistani military establishment.
Streets Under Siege
For the third consecutive day, thousands of demonstrators poured onto the streets of Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Neelum Valley, Kotli, and Dadyal. In several areas, protesters pulled down barricades and hurled stones at soldiers as troops fired live ammunition to disperse the crowds.
Reports from the ground suggest that five people were shot dead in Muzaffarabad, five more in Dheerkot, and two in Dadyal. Three policemen also lost their lives during the clashes. Hospitals in Muzaffarabad and surrounding towns are overwhelmed, with many of the injured suffering from gunshot wounds.
What Sparked the Protests?
The unrest was triggered by a long list of demands, spearheaded by the Joint Awami Action Committee, a coalition of local groups. Protesters are calling for the removal of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan, which they say undermines local representation. They are also demanding immediate relief in the form of subsidies on flour, fuel, and electricity, as well as the resumption of stalled development projects.
Markets, schools, and offices have remained shut since September 29, when the demonstrations intensified. Internet, mobile, and landline services have been cut off in several districts, deepening the communication crisis.
Slogans of Defiance
Eyewitnesses describe scenes of widespread anger, with demonstrators chanting slogans such as “Rulers, beware, your time is over” and “Kashmir belongs to us, we will decide its future.” Videos circulated on social media show large crowds dismantling shipping containers placed on bridges to block their marches.
Despite heavy deployment of additional troops, the protests show no signs of abating, with rallies spreading into smaller towns and villages.
Islamabad’s Response
Faced with growing criticism, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the expansion of a special committee tasked with negotiating with protest leaders. While he urged security agencies to show restraint, human rights activists say the damage has already been done.
Political observers note that the violence in PoK comes at a time when Pakistan is already reeling from political turmoil, economic challenges, and unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 30 civilians were killed last week in airstrikes.
Calls for Global Attention
Local leaders have warned of a looming humanitarian crisis if the violence continues. Nasir Aziz Khan of the United Kashmir People’s National Party appealed to the United Nations and the international community to step in and pressure Islamabad to end the crackdown.
With tensions boiling over and civilian deaths mounting, PoK stands at the edge of a prolonged period of instability that may have far-reaching consequences for the region.
