Overview
- Protesters from the Joint Awami Action Committee marched into Rawalakot and clashed with police and paramilitary units after attempts to enter the city on Monday led to violent confrontations.
- JAAC and local activists say security forces used live ammunition and snipers and report at least 20 people killed and hundreds injured, while official AJK Police statements say armed JAAC members opened fire and two officers were wounded.
- Multiple news outlets give widely varying casualty counts from 5 to 31 and describe heavy security measures that included tear gas, aerial firing, checkpoints and what protesters say is a communications and power blackout.
- Pakistan’s opposition condemned the reported use of force and protest leaders called for international attention, while the AJK government has proscribed JAAC and accused it of causing economic harm and links to anti-state elements.
- The unrest is tied to July–August phased AJK elections and JAAC’s demand to abolish 12 refugee-reserved assembly seats, a long-running dispute that has repeatedly driven large protests and stalled talks with authorities.