At Least 37 Civilians Killed by Pakistani Security Forces in PaJK in Two Days

RAWALAKOT: At least 37 civilians have been confirmed killed in Rawalakot and Mirpur during two days of firing by Pakistani Rangers and police attempting to stop the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee’s long march, according to local sources.

The security operation continued across Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, July 28, with intermittent firing and tear-gas shelling reported in Rawalakot until around midnight.

According to Local Reports, at least 35 civilians were killed in Rawalakot on Monday and Tuesday, while two deaths were confirmed after security forces opened fire on a protest at Ban Khurma in Mirpur. Unconfirmed local reports placed the Mirpur toll as high as six.

More than 100 people have reportedly been injured over the two days and taken to hospitals in Rawalakot and neighbouring areas.

International reports published on Tuesday carried lower and varying figures because of communication restrictions and limited independent access. AFP cited the Joint Awami Action Committee as reporting around 20 deaths, while The Guardian reported allegations that at least 30 unarmed protesters had been killed over two days. Neither figure reflected the later casualty list compiled by local journalists and families.

On Tuesday, marchers attempted to enter Rawalakot through Baldiya Adda, Kharak Road and D-Chowk, but large contingents of Rangers and police blocked all three routes.

Local witnesses reported repeated firing and shelling as protesters attempted to move towards the city centre. Thirteen civilian deaths were confirmed in Tuesday’s Rawalakot violence, while the toll from Monday’s firing rose to 22 after further identities were verified.

Those confirmed killed in Rawalakot on Tuesday included:

• Osama Jameel of Mang, Sudhnoti
• Roman Mahmood of Berota Pachiot
• Abrar Hasrat of Horna Mera
• Sardar Shehbaz of Tahlian, Sudhnoti
• Qari Abdul Basit of Nar Kothian, Thorar
• Javed Yasin of Mang
• Shaukat Hayat of Matial Mera
• Abdul Razzaq, son of Ishaq, of Dhingaron
• Rizwan Aslam of Mang
• Muhammad Aziz Khan of Rawalakot
• Shehbaz Mushtaq of Kharak
• Hassam Banaras of Darak
• Kamran Ilyas of Kotli

The death of Farrukh Aziz of Anyari, Rawalakot, who was shot on Monday, was also subsequently confirmed.

Among those killed on Monday was Usman Nazir, the younger brother of JKJAAC leader Umar Nazir Kashmiri.

Security forces also opened fire on a demonstration at Ban Khurma in Mirpur on Tuesday.

The confirmed victims were identified as Raja Tauqeer Alam, a resident of Ban Khurma, and Imam Enayatullah, originally from Kharian in Jhelum.

Local sources claimed that as many as six people may have been killed and dozens injured in the Mirpur firing, but the additional deaths had not been verified when this report was filed.

Protesters from Neelum Valley also attempted to move towards Muzaffarabad but were stopped by security forces.

Several people were reportedly injured in firing and shelling. Local sources said JKJAAC core committee member Khawaja Mujtaba Banday was among those wounded by gunfire, although his condition could not immediately be confirmed.

Protests were also held in Khoiratta and Charhoi in Kotli district against the Rawalakot crackdown and civilian deaths.

At least 82 civilians have been killed in security operations connected with the JKJAAC protest movement between June 5 and July 28.

This remains a locally documented tally based on families, hospitals, eyewitnesses and activists. Pakistani authorities have not released a complete civilian casualty list, while communication restrictions and barriers to independent media access have made immediate verification difficult.

Before the latest violence, Reuters had confirmed at least 24 deaths during the June protests and nine additional deaths in clashes on July 14. Amnesty International previously condemned the internet shutdown, mass arrests and deadly use of force during the crackdown.

The regional authorities have accused JKJAAC protesters of violence and attempting to disrupt the elections, while the movement says its demonstrations are a peaceful campaign for political representation and public rights. Kashmiriat has not independently verified official claims that armed groups infiltrated the protests.

The violence continued as results emerged from the first phase of Legislative Assembly elections in Mirpur Division.

The Election Commission and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz claimed voter turnout exceeded 50 percent and that the party won nine of the division’s 13 seats. The Pakistan Peoples Party disputed the figures, claiming turnout was below 25 percent and alleging organised ballot fraud.

The disputed refugee seats and their influence over government formation remain a central grievance of the JKJAAC protest movement.

Former Pakistani senator and Pakistan Rights Movement leader Mushtaq Ahmad was also stopped by police at Azad Pattan while travelling from Islamabad to Rawalakot and was denied entry into the territory, according to local reports.

Funerals for several victims were held in their native towns and villages on Tuesday. Families of some of those killed reportedly faced difficulties receiving the bodies of their relatives.

The casualty figures may rise as hospitals, families and local reporters continue confirming the dead and injured.