Protest group says 30 dead in Pakistan-administered Kashmir vote unrest

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing its staff and Reuters, reported that leaders of the Joint Awami Action Committee said more than 30 people were killed in clashes with police during unrest linked to regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The violence was reported around the first phase of voting on Monday, July 27, in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts. A JAAC committee member, Sardar Umar Nazir, said in a video statement that 20 supporters died during a Monday march and at least 10 more protesters were killed the next day in Rawalakot, Mirpur and other areas.

Pakistani authorities said one member of the security forces was killed and five others were injured in Monday’s clashes. Amnesty International described reports of lethal force against protesters as alarming and called for an investigation. The rights group also urged restoration of communications and access for media and independent observers, while Al Jazeera reported that banking, road and internet services have been widely disrupted, limiting information from the area.

JAAC, which boycotted the vote, was banned by the local government in June under anti-terrorism laws, a move Amnesty called unlawful. Pakistani officials have defended the crackdown by alleging armed, India-backed fighters joined protesters; India has previously rejected similar accusations.

The election dispute also centers on 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees, which JAAC supporters say benefit major Pakistani parties because many voters live outside the region. Al Jazeera reported that Pakistan’s governing PML-N won nine of 13 seats contested in the first round, with further voting scheduled for August 2 and August 10. Analysts and watchdogs warned the violence could damage confidence in the electoral process.