Over 30 Dead, 200 Injured As Security Forces Open Fire On Protesters In PoK At least 30 people were killed after Pakistani security forces allegedly opened fire on protesters associated with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to local reports and activist groups. The incident has escalated tensions in the region and led to fresh allegations of excessive force by the authorities. The protests erupted after the PoK government banned the JAAC, a grassroots movement that has gained support for raising issues such as rising inflation, electricity tariffs, taxation policies and what its supporters describe as the region's long-standing political marginalisation. Authorities defended the crackdown, saying around 90 people were arrested in Mirpur Division and weapons were recovered during operations against protesters. Officials maintained that the action was necessary to preserve law and order and prevent violence. However, protesters, civil society activists and members of the Kashmiri diaspora rejected the government's claims. They alleged that security forces used disproportionate force against largely unarmed demonstrators and targeted crowds during protests and funeral processions. According to government sources familiar with the developments, the crackdown has intensified under the leadership of Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir. The sources claimed that military authorities increasingly viewed the JAAC movement as a political challenge and adopted a hard-line approach to suppress dissent. The deadliest violence was reported in Rawalkot, where clashes between protesters and security personnel allegedly resulted in multiple civilian deaths. Sources further claimed the operation was part of a broader strategy to curb anti-establishment sentiment ahead of elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Activist groups compared the latest violence to confrontations seen in 2024 and 2025, arguing that the current crackdown reflects a pattern of forceful responses to public protests. More serious allegations have also surfaced. Sources claimed that security forces fired near hospitals and funeral gatherings, potentially increasing the civilian death toll beyond officially acknowledged figures. While authorities have not confirmed these allegations, activists insist actual casualties may be much higher, with some estimating that more than 100 people have died in recent months. The developments have once again brought PoK into international focus, with activists and rights groups demanding an independent investigation into the violence and the treatment of protesters. Anurag Kumar is an Assistant Editor at Times Now, where he leads the News Desk and Business Desk, driving coverage across politics, economy and market... View More