MUZAFFARABAD: Tensions escalated in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK Protest) as the region witnessed violent protests, leaving three policemen dead and over 100 injured, according to local media reports.
The unrest, triggered by a strike called by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAC), has paralyzed daily life across several areas in PoK. The group is demanding action on long-pending civic and economic issues. (PoK Protest)
What began as a peaceful demonstration turned chaotic as rival groups clashed, each blaming the other for inciting violence. The situation worsened on Wednesday, forcing law enforcement to respond with force in several locations.
According to Geo News, the Pakistani federal government has once again extended an offer for dialogue with the protest leaders in an attempt to defuse the crisis. Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry claimed that most of the protesters’ demands had already been addressed but did not clarify which ones remained unresolved.
Despite the government’s appeal for calm, the impact of the strike was clearly visible — markets, shops, hotels, and public transport were shut down in Muzaffarabad and surrounding districts, effectively bringing commercial activity to a standstill.
There remains ambiguity over the identities of the injured, with no clear breakdown of whether the casualties include civilians, protesters, or additional police personnel.
The unrest has once again drawn attention to the growing discontent in PoK, with local voices accusing the authorities of failing to meet basic infrastructure and economic needs. With tensions still simmering, further confrontations cannot be ruled out unless a negotiated settlement is reached soon.
