By SCM Foreign Desk
RAWALAKOT, Pakistan-Administered Kashmir — Security forces in Pakistan-administered Kashmir opened fire on demonstrators near the city of Rawalakot, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more in a dramatic escalation of weeks-long political violence.
The bloodshed unfolded as thousands of activists and residents attempted to stage a long march toward Muzaffarabad, the regional capital. Local organizers said law enforcement agencies fired unprovoked live ammunition into the crowd. Security officials, however, claimed that police responded after demonstrators attacked law enforcement personnel with firearms, burned military vehicles, and attempted to break security cordons.
The violence marks one of the deadliest days in recent memory for the mountainous region—officially known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)—which has been gripped by mass civil unrest, general strikes, and intermittent communications blackouts.
The latest clashes trace back to deep-seated grievances led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an umbrella coalition of civil society groups, trade unions, and local rights advocates.
While civil agitation initially erupted over soaring electricity tariffs, food shortages, and bread subsidies, political tensions reached a boiling point ahead of regional legislative elections. Central to the dispute is the contested reservation of 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly set aside for refugees who migrated from Indian-administered Kashmir. Local activists argue that these reserved seats allow federal authorities in Islamabad to manipulate election outcomes and install loyal governments in the semi-autonomous territory, diluting the voting power of local residents.
Tensions reached a fever pitch after the region’s Supreme Court ruled that the reserved seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a federal constitutional amendment. Following the ruling and subsequent legislative balloting, the government officially banned the JAAC, classifying it as an illegal organization—a move that further enraged activists and mobilized thousands into the streets.
On Monday, as thousands of protesters camped near Dreak and the Rawalakot bus terminal attempted to march toward Muzaffarabad, police and paramilitary forces blocked major transit points.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes near the entrance to Rawalakot city. Security personnel used heavy tear gas before opening fire on crowds moving along the highway.
”Law enforcement agencies opened fire without warning on peaceful marchers,” said Abid Shaheen, a member of the JAAC’s leadership council. Activists released lists identifying at least 19 victims by name, asserting that the death toll surpassed 20 people.
Government officials countered the account, alleging that armed agitators within the demonstration fired first. According to district administrators, a paramilitary officer was killed and several police officers were wounded before forces returned fire.
Due to strict media restrictions and widespread cellular blackouts across Poonch district, independent verification of exact casualty counts remains difficult. However, regional medical facilities reported treating dozens of individuals for gunshot wounds and severe tear gas inhalation.
The ongoing conflict underscores growing alienation between the local population and federal authorities in Islamabad. For decades, Pakistan has positioned its portion of Kashmir as an autonomous zone whose populace supports integration with Pakistan against Indian control. However, rising grassroots mobilization around local governance, civil rights, and economic autonomy has challenged that narrative.
Human rights observers warn that heavy-handed police responses risk further destabilizing the fragile border territory.
With JAAC leaders vowing to continue their march toward Muzaffarabad despite the high body count, the risk of further bloodshed remains high.
An analysis of how civil unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir has escalated over economic subsidies and regional assembly seats can be viewed in this video breakdown on PoK Unrest in Rawalakot, which details recent security footage and reportage from the region.