Protesters in PoK allege 14 killed as Pakistani forces open fire during Rawalakot march

Rawalakot (PoK): At least 14 people were killed and nearly two dozen others injured after Pakistani security forces allegedly opened fire on protesters during the Awami Huqooq Long March in Rawalakot on Monday evening, according to eyewitnesses associated with the protest movement.

The reported casualties have not been independently verified, and there was no immediate official response from Pakistani authorities.

Imtiaz Aslam, a core member of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), said the protest convoy had reached Chinar Chowk and was moving towards D-Chowk before stopping for the night at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Chowk.

In a video statement, Aslam alleged that security forces opened fire on the protesters, killing 14 people. He claimed those killed included Usman Nazir, the younger brother of the movement's founder Omar Nazir Kashmiri, along with protesters from Khaigala, Kotli, Tattapani, Banja-Baspoor, Chhota Gala and Haveli. He also alleged that two Baloch protesters were among the dead.

Aslam further claimed that nearly two dozen people had been injured in the firing.

He appealed to overseas Kashmiris to raise the issue internationally and organise protests outside Pakistani embassies and international organisations, including the United Nations, alleging that the authorities were carrying out atrocities against demonstrators.

Aslam also urged people in the Mirpur and Muzaffarabad divisions to hold solidarity protests, claiming that internet and mobile services had been suspended in the region, making communication difficult.

According to him, the march will continue on foot because of transport disruptions, with protesters aiming to reach Muzaffarabad in the coming days.

Another eyewitness alleged that protesters entered Rawalakot's Chandni Chowk carrying white flags and maintained that the movement remained peaceful.

The eyewitness claimed that despite the casualties, organisers continued urging protesters to remain peaceful and appealed to security forces to withdraw.

"We have no conflict with Pakistan, its people or its security forces. We are carrying white flags and want to continue our protest peacefully," the eyewitness said.

The eyewitness also appealed to overseas Kashmiris to amplify the movement's demands, alleging that authorities had imposed a communications blackout in the region.

The allegations of police firing, casualties and communication restrictions have been made by eyewitnesses associated with the protest. Pakistani authorities had not issued an official statement on the claims yet.
The latest violence comes amid a 52-day protest movement led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The group has been organising strikes, rallies and marches, demanding the release of detained activists, withdrawal of cases against protesters and the implementation of its wider demands. Tensions escalated after talks between JAAC and the authorities failed on July 27, prompting thousands of protesters to begin a march from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad.

(With ANI inputs)