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PoK Protesters Lay Siege to Muzaffarabad as Government Seeks Talks After Deadly Clashes

Officials urged protest leaders to return to negotiations, saying most demands are agreed with constitutional changes still unresolved.

Members of the Awami Action Committee, a civil rights alliance, chant slogans during a rally demanding subsidized food, electricity and other services in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)
CORRECTS HAME: Police officers fire tear gas shell to disperse members of the Awami Action Committee, a civil rights alliance holding a rally demanding subsidized food, electricity and other services, in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)
CORRECTS NAME: Police officers fire tear gas shell to disperse members of the Awami Action Committee, a civil rights alliance, holding a rally demanding subsidized food, electricity and other services in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)
People transport the body of a person, who was killed in the clashes between police and demonstrators demanding subsidies on food, cheaper electricity and other concession, at a hospital in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)

Overview

  • JKJAAC leaders launched coordinated long marches and declared a siege of Muzaffarabad, with caravans pushing through container blockades as mobile and internet services were largely cut.
  • Three police officers — Constables Khurshid, Jameel and Tahir Rafi — were confirmed killed and others wounded in shootings linked to the unrest, according to Pakistani outlets.
  • Multiple outlets reported civilian fatalities over three days across Dhirkot, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, with accounts citing police firing and shelling even as official tallies remained unclear.
  • At a Muzaffarabad press conference, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar‑ul‑Haq invited the action committee back to talks and said about 90% of demands had been accepted.
  • Officials said the remaining sticking points include proposals that require AJK constitutional amendments, while protesters continue to press a 38‑point charter seeking subsidies, curbs on elite perks and abolition of 12 reserved refugee seats.