Violence broke out in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) on Monday as clashes erupted between security forces and activists of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) during a protest march held on the first day of the region’s legislative assembly elections.
The JAAC claimed that at least 14 of its supporters were killed after security personnel opened fire near Rawalakot. However, POK authorities disputed the claim, saying they had received no evidence or bodies to verify the reported deaths.
Officials stated that two police officers were injured during the clashes, while reports also claimed that a Rangers personnel was killed and several security vehicles were set on fire. Protesters and authorities gave conflicting accounts of how the violence began.
The JAAC has been protesting since June, demanding the removal of 12 reserved assembly seats and calling for greater political representation for residents of the region. The group also urged people to boycott the ongoing elections.
Reacting to the developments, India’s Ministry of External Affairs described the POK elections as a “cosmetic exercise” and alleged that Pakistan was attempting to hide its illegal occupation and human rights violations in the region.
The elections are being conducted in three phases under heavy security deployment, with the remaining polling scheduled for August 2 and August 10.