New Delhi, Oct 03: More troops poured into the streets of Muzaffarabad and the surroundings of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) on Friday morning to prevent further unrest after days of violent anti-government protests continued.
AFP and AP news agencies reported that the demonstrations, led by the joint Awami Action Committee (AAC), began on Monday over soaring electricity prices, lack of healthcare, and lavish perks enjoyed by ruling politicians. The protests quickly escalated into violent clashes with security forces, leaving nine people dead — six civilians and three policemen — according to a government statement cited by AFP. More than 170 police officers and at least 50 civilians were injured, though protest organisers claim over 100 civilian casualties.
An internet and mobile phone blackout has been imposed across the mountainous region, with local media warned not to cover the unrest. AFP reporters described scenes of devastation in Muzaffarabad on Wednesday, with streets “stained with blood and littered with spent bullet casings, shards of glass and scattered stones.”
Security forces have responded with tear gas and heavy deployment in the city. At the height of the protests, thousands of locals joined marches, chanting anti-government slogans and torching government buildings. Markets and schools remained shut, while protesters accused police of firing directly at demonstrators and harassing journalists. Funerals and sporadic fresh demonstrations continued into Thursday despite the crackdown.
The protests are among the largest in recent years in PoK. The unrest has been spearheaded by the Awami Joint Action Committee (AJAC), a coalition of local groups that has enforced road blockades and a shutdown since Monday, AP reported. The alliance has drawn comparisons to movements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan, where civil rights activists have rallied against Islamabad’s dominance. As Friday afternoon prayers approached, security forces increased their vigil and patrols across POK to deter fresh rallies.
