30 Killed in Clashes Between Protesters and Police in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir

Clashes between protesters and security forces have intensified in Rawalakot, located in Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Several people have reportedly been killed and injured during the government's crackdown on the anti-government protests.

According to the protesters, more than 30 people have lost their lives and nearly 200 have been injured in the protests and clashes over the past several days. However, government officials say that 11 people have been killed and 70 injured in the violence.

Citizens' organization Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has been leading the protests, demanding action against rising inflation, electricity tariffs, unemployment, and greater political representation in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The protests escalated after authorities declared JAAC a banned organization last week. Officials stated that banning JAAC was necessary to maintain law and order in the region.

The unrest began in Rawalakot, where a businessman staged a protest against the administration. He was killed by security forces' gunfire on Friday night.

Tensions over his death led to clashes on Sunday. Police said that several protesters demonstrated in front of the hospital morgue, where the body of the businessman killed in police firing had been kept.

Sardar Wahid Khan, Commissioner of the Poonch Sector in the region, said that six people were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse protesters in front of the hospital.

However, local residents claim that the death toll is much higher. Police allege that the protesters also retaliated by firing automatic rifles and throwing bombs.

Sardar Wahid Khan, the top administrative official of Rawalakot, confirmed that several individuals were arrested during the protest crackdown.

Ahead of the protests on Tuesday, the authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir deployed federal paramilitary police forces and issued travel advisories with strict restrictions.

The administration has implemented stringent security measures in Rawalakot. Search operations are ongoing, and internet services have been suspended in some areas.

For the past several months, discontent among residents in Azad Kashmir has been growing over various issues. Human rights organizations are urging both sides to engage in dialogue and resolve the dispute peacefully.