Death Toll In Brutal Crackdown By Pakistani Forces In PoJK Rises To 30 During Past Two Days

The PoJK is currently engulfed with a wave of protests against the Pakistani authorities since months. Pakistan’s military and authority has been accused of inciting violence by disrupting peaceful protests, carrying out mass arrests and imposing a severe communication blackout by shutting down the internet to cut the region from rest of the world. The unrest in PoJK has spread to Mirpur after the deadly violence in Rawalakot, with several social media accounts alleging that Pakistani security forces opened fire on civilians during fresh protests.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has called for an independent and transparent investigation into reports of the use of lethal force against protesters in PoJK by Pakistani forces while urging Pakistani authorities to restore communication services and allow media and independent observers access to the region.

In a statement, Amnesty International’s Acting Regional Director for South Asia, Isabelle Lassee, reacted to the security forces using lethal force against protesters in Rawalakot during the first day of the regional election. She said the ongoing internet and mobile services blackout was preventing independent verification of the situation on the ground. Amnesty also raised concerns over the ban imposed on the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), stating that tensions surrounding the election had been heightened by the move.