Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-Administered Kashmir: At least two people were killed and around 22 others injured on Monday as protests demanding fundamental rights against the Shahbaz Sharif government turned violent in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The clashes took place in the capital, Muzaffarabad, according to local sources.
To restore order, Islamabad has deployed additional troops across the region. Thousands of Pakistani soldiers, along with specialized units from the capital, have been mobilized, according to official sources.
NDTV reported that protesters accused Pakistan’s army and intelligence agency ISI-backed armed groups, aligned with the Muslim Conference, of indiscriminate firing on civilians. Videos circulating on social media reportedly show shots being fired into crowds and scenes of chaos. One clip shows troops firing into a dense crowd to instill fear, while another shows a young man displaying a bullet as proof of the shooting.
Led by the Awami Action Committee, widespread strikes have paralyzed daily life in Azad Kashmir for over 24 hours. Shops, markets, and businesses remain closed, and public transport is largely non-operational.
Protesters’ demands include the repeal of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan, one of 38 key demands. Locals argue that such reserved seats weaken representative governance.
Awami Action Committee leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir warned, “People have been denied fundamental rights for over seven decades. Either grant the rights now, or face the wrath of the public.” He referred to the movement as ‘Plan A’, hinting at a stricter ‘Plan D’ if demands are ignored.
In response, Islamabad has opted for a show of force. According to Pakistani media Dawn, heavily armed patrols have conducted flag marches in multiple cities. Troops from neighboring Punjab province have also been deployed, and internet services have been restricted to prevent further unrest.