Fresh violence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has prompted the Joint Awami Action Committee to demand an immediate halt to alleged Pakistani security force operations against civilians…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has called on Pakistani authorities to immediately halt firing, the alleged use of excessive force and intimidation of civilian communities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), amid escalating violence in the region. The demand comes after several people, including women and children, were reportedly killed and dozens injured in alleged firing and drone attacks by Pakistani security forces targeting peaceful protesters in the Rawalakot region.
Expressing grave concern over the deteriorating situation in Rawalakot and surrounding areas, the JAAC urged authorities to stop all actions threatening civilian lives and ensure the safety of residents.
“Peaceful participants in the sit-in are not enemies; they are our own people. Firing on civilians, intimidating communities through aerial means, and any unnecessary use of force must cease immediately,” the Committee said.
The JAAC also called on the authorities to return the bodies of those killed to their families without delay and provide formal condolences and appropriate support.
It demanded immediate, safe and non-discriminatory medical treatment for all injured people, alongside the restoration of mobile networks, internet services and other essential communication facilities across PoK.
The Committee further called for an independent investigation into all reported deaths, injuries, arrests and allegations of unlawful use of force.
“All deaths, injuries, arrests, allegations of unlawful force, armed activity or incitement should be examined through an independent, impartial, transparent and time-bound investigation. Its procedure, jurisdiction, arrangements for preserving evidence and protecting witnesses, and deadline for publication should be defined in writing in advance. No allegation should be presented as established fact without verifiable evidence,” the JAAC stated.
Raising further concerns over the reported use of drones against civilian targets, the Committee on Sunday cited an alleged drone attack on a residential property in Rawalakot and called for international intervention.
“The reported use of explosive drones against civilian homes raises extremely serious concerns about the safety of residents and violations of international human rights law. The United Nations and international human rights organisations must urgently demand answers from the authorities and press for immediate measures to protect civilian lives,” it said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) strongly condemned what it described as indiscriminate firing, excessive use of force and drone attacks by Pakistani security forces against peaceful protesters and residential areas in Rawalakot.
According to the party, a woman and a man were reportedly killed near the Bus Terminal in Mutialmara, Rawalakot. It also alleged that Umar Farooq Chowk was under attack, with reports of heavy machine gun fire, drone strikes and mortar shelling.
The party further claimed that drones were being used to drop explosive devices in civilian-populated areas, putting residents at risk.
“Two additional people, reportedly including a 10-year-old girl, have been killed, while several others sustained critical injuries,” the UKPNP stated.
Calling for international intervention, the party demanded an independent United Nations investigation into the reported killings and alleged human rights violations in PoK.
It also urged the establishment of an impartial international fact-finding mission to examine the incidents and investigate allegations of abuses by Pakistani authorities in the occupied territory.
