Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has been rocked by intense protests this week, leaving at least eight civilians dead on Wednesday after a third consecutive day of clashes between demonstrators and security forces. The unrest, led by the Awami Action Committee (AAC), reflects growing anger against Islamabad over the alleged denial of fundamental rights to the people of the region.
Casualties and Escalation of Violence
According to reports, four civilians were killed in Dhirkot in Bagh district, while two died in Muzaffarabad and two in Mirpur. This toll adds to the two deaths reported on Tuesday from Muzaffarabad, raising the total number of fatalities this week to 10.
The protests, which have paralysed PoK for over 72 hours, have seen markets, shops, transport services, and local businesses completely shut down. Anger has spilled onto the streets, with protestors hurling stones and even throwing shipping containers placed on bridges to block marches into rivers, as visuals shared by local sources revealed.
Demands of the Protesters
The AAC has put forward a list of 38 demands. Chief among these is the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan, which protestors argue undermines representative governance in PoK.
AAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir declared that the demonstrations were not just about temporary grievances but about rights that have been denied for over 70 years. He warned the government that the strike was only “Plan A,” hinting at harsher steps ahead if Islamabad refuses to listen:
“Our campaign is for fundamental rights denied to our people… either deliver on rights or face the wrath of the people.”
Pakistan Government’s Crackdown
The Shehbaz Sharif-led administration has responded with a heavy hand. Thousands of armed troops have been deployed, including reinforcements from Punjab province and an additional 1,000 soldiers from Islamabad. Heavily armed patrols have conducted flag marches in several towns to deter further escalation.
In addition to boots on the ground, authorities have also restricted internet access across PoK to curb the mobilisation of protesters and the flow of information.
Link to Wider Unrest in Pakistan
This week’s violence in PoK comes just days after another tragic incident in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where 30 civilians were killed in Pakistani Air Force strikes. Fighter jets dropped Chinese-made LS-6 laser-guided bombs on a village, causing widespread condemnation.
The twin crises—civilian casualties from aerial strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and deaths in PoK protests—have raised questions about Islamabad’s handling of dissent and its use of force against its own citizens.
Rising Tensions and Warning Signs
The unrest in PoK highlights long-simmering discontent in the region. For decades, residents have complained of political disenfranchisement, economic neglect, and systematic curbs on civil rights. The AAC’s movement has now given shape to these grievances, uniting people across different towns in their push for accountability.
Observers warn that if Islamabad continues to rely solely on force, the protests could spiral into a much larger political crisis. With the AAC openly warning of further action through their “Plan D,” the situation remains highly volatile.
Conclusion
The deaths of ten civilians in just three days mark one of the deadliest recent episodes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. What began as a protest for fundamental rights has now become a showdown between the people and the state. Whether the government chooses dialogue or suppression in the coming days will determine if peace can be restored or if PoK continues to burn under the weight of decades-long grievances.
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