Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has defended the security forces’ crackdown on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, describing the demonstrators as “enemies like India”…reports Asian Lite News desk
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has defended the country’s security forces over their crackdown on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), describing the demonstrators as “enemies like India” amid reports of dozens of deaths during the unrest.
His remarks came as protests intensified across PoK, with social media videos appearing to show Pakistani security personnel firing on demonstrators in areas including Mirpur and Rawalakot. The authenticity of the videos and casualty figures could not be independently verified.
“I put them (protesters) in the same category as India and consider them also as enemies like India,” Asif said in a video that circulated on social media platform X.
According to reports cited by organisers, more than 40 people were killed and hundreds injured during a long march organised by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Independent confirmation of the reported death toll was not immediately available.
Several videos shared on social media by the JAAC and other users showed scenes of chaos, with people running from gunfire, bodies lying on roads and damaged motorcycles. The videos have not been independently verified.
The protests were organised by the JAAC, which has accused Pakistani authorities of committing human rights abuses in the region.
“In Mirpur, the public has martyred five more people on the streets; in Churhoi, the public is on the streets… except for Sarsoha Panjhera Sehnsa, from all sides, honourable people are on the streets bearing the pain of their brothers,” the JAAC posted on X.
The group also alleged that security forces opened fire on protesters in Rawalakot.
“Rawalakot situation tense once again. Forces shelling and firing on peaceful public,” the JAAC wrote in another post.
The organisation further accused police of targeting young members of the Mirpur Awami Action Committee during the demonstrations.
In a separate post, the JAAC said, “The worst firing continues on the daily life caravan — We are picking up the bodies, but you will not be able to endure this hatred that you are sowing today.”
Providing an update on casualties, the committee posted: “The Long March caravans have reached Rawalakot city. According to information received so far, the identities of 19 deceased individuals have been confirmed, while one person did not have identification documents and sustained a bullet wound to the head; his body is present at the Palandri Hospital. Thus, the total deaths have reached at least 20. In addition, other details are contingent upon daylight breaking and the restoration of communications.”
The march was launched after talks between the JAAC and Pakistani authorities reportedly failed to reach an agreement, prompting organisers to call for renewed public mobilisation.
Pakistani authorities had not issued a detailed response to the allegations of excessive force or publicly confirmed the reported casualty figures at the time of reporting.
