Deadly Clashes Rock PoK Polls: JAAC Claims 14 Protesters Killed as Tensions Escalate

Deadly clashes between protesters and security forces during the first phase of the so-called legislative assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have intensified tensions in the region, with the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) claiming that 14 activists were killed and more than two dozen people injured. Pakistani authorities have rejected the casualty figures, alleging that armed protesters opened fire on security personnel.

The violence erupted on Monday as thousands of JAAC supporters marched from Drek towards Rawalakot and onward to Muzaffarabad, protesting against 12 reserved seats in the regional assembly. JAAC alleges that Pakistan's establishment uses these seats to influence the selection of the region's prime minister, undermining the democratic process.

According to JAAC leaders, security personnel opened fire on participants of what they described as a peaceful march. The organisation claimed that 14 activists, including Usman Nazir, the younger brother of JAAC founding member Umar Nazir, were killed during the clashes, while over 20 others were injured. The claims, however, could not be independently verified.

Rejecting the allegations, PoK Police Chief Captain (Retd.) Liaquat Ali Malik said there was no official confirmation of the reported deaths, as no bodies had been recovered or brought to hospitals for post-mortem examinations. He alleged that protesters armed with modern weapons fired at police and Rangers personnel after they were stopped from entering Rawalakot. Officials confirmed that one Rangers personnel was killed, while two Rangers and two police personnel were injured.

JAAC denied that its supporters carried firearms, insisting they were armed only with sticks. The organisation accused security forces of opening "unprovoked fire" on peaceful protesters and vowed to continue its march towards Muzaffarabad.

The confrontation is the latest escalation in weeks of unrest. JAAC has been protesting since June 9, demanding the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees, claiming they are manipulated to shape the region's political leadership. Pakistan banned the organisation last month after talks failed to resolve the standoff.

Reacting to the developments, India rejected the elections, calling them an attempt by Pakistan to legitimise its "illegal occupation" of the territory. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including areas under Pakistan's control, are integral parts of India.

The first phase of polling covered 13 seats in the Mirpur division. Voting in Muzaffarabad is scheduled for August 2, followed by the Poonch division on August 10. Internet services remain suspended in parts of the region, while preliminary results show the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) winning nine seats and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) securing four seats. Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) boycotted the polls amid allegations of widespread rigging.