By Admin 
Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POJK), which it calls ‘Azad Kashmir’, but the reality has turned out to be something else. The anger of the common people here is now on the seventh sky. When people, troubled by inflation, unemployment and electricity bills, took to the streets, the Pakistani Army and Rangers opened fire on them indiscriminately. In areas like Rawalkot, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, there are only screams and mourning everywhere. Internet was down, phone lines were closed and hospitals were filled with injured. Now this matter has reached the United Nations (UN). India has taken a strong stand and demanded intervention from the UN and Farooq Abdullah has also broken his silence and raised his voice against the atrocities…
How did the whole controversy start?
This dispute in POJK starts from 5 June 2026. The POJK administration banned a civil group called the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). JAAC had been continuously raising its voice against inflation, power cuts and rising prices of flour for the last two years. He had a total of 38 demands. The administration had accepted 37 of them, but drew a line on one demand and that was the demand to abolish 12 refugee seats.
These seats are reserved for the refugees who went to Pakistan from India in 1947. JAAC says that Pakistan uses these seats to seat its puppets in the assembly. As soon as JAAC was banned, people got angry. On June 6, a businessman died in a police clash and then the volcano erupted.
The story of the black night of Rawalakot
This was the night which added a dark story to the history of POJK. On June 8, JAAC supporters held a big demonstration in Rawalakot. Pakistani Rangers were already deployed there. Within no time the security forces started firing indiscriminately at the protesters.
It is alleged that bullets were fired not just in the air but directly on the chests of people. Many people were sleeping in their homes and bullets were fired at them too. Hospitals were captured, so that the details of the injured were not known. Mobile internet and phone lines were shut down simultaneously. POJK plunged into darkness and silence.
Kashmir, which was once known as our coronary artery, today is witnessing scenes of state coercion on the same land in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Thousands of people came out on the streets and staged a strong protest after the funeral prayers of Brahmin Kashmiri who was martyred by the Rawalkot ranger’s bullet.#क्षमीर_की_अवाज_बंद_नही_क्रो… pic.twitter.com/R0QQuXwYTp
— PTI Central Punjab (@PTIOfficialCP) June 11, 2026
How many people were killed in this attack?
Talking about the exact number of dead people in the firing, the answer is difficult because when the media is closed, it is very difficult to verify the truth. But the figures from media reports are shocking:
- Official statement of Pakistan administration: In this attack, 11 people including 7 civilians and 4 policemen were killed, while more than 70 people were said to be injured.
- JAAC and local sources claim: The number of dead is more than 27 and more than 200 are injured. JAAC also said that Rangers entered houses and shot people.
- Intelligence Dossier: According to a secret intelligence report, 26 people have been killed, including 19 children and 7 pregnant women. This report was prepared within Pakistan, but when it came out it created a stir.
- International media reports: Reuters has confirmed 11 deaths, while AFP has reported 7 dead. But Indian websites like The Week and The Hitwada have estimated the death toll to be around 30.
It is clear that this is the biggest violence that has happened in POJK in the last several years. Unless communication is restored, the real picture will not emerge.
What did the Government of India and Pakistan say on POJK violence?
Veteran Kashmir leader and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah broke his silence on this matter and said, ‘Pakistan occupied Kashmir is going through a very difficult phase. Atrocities are taking place there. Many people have been martyred till now. I would appeal to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to go there and see what troubles are beingfall those people. The only solution is the path of dialogue.
Farooq Abdullah further said that the pain of the people of POJK is absolutely real and ignoring it will prove suicidal for Pakistan. His statement has come at a time when Pakistani media is trying to portray the situation there as ‘normal’.
#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K: On protests in PoK, National Conference President, Farooq Abdullah says, “This state is in a difficult situation. The part that is with Pakistan is where oppression is happening today. Many people have been martyred there. Full details of the news are not… pic.twitter.com/gEAea7Gla3
— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2026
A major reversal has been seen in the statements of POJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore:
- On June 6-7, Rathore described JAAC as a ‘non-political and anti-national’ group and ordered action against its leaders. He said, ‘There will be no talks now.’
- Then on June 9, as international pressure mounted and the death toll increased, Rathore reversed course. He said, ‘We are ready for talks with JAAC. The issue of 12 seats is not fatal. Come, let’s sit and talk.
There is an important thing here. The real power lies not with the POJK government but with the Pakistani Army. Pakistan’s Union Minister Atta Tarar made it clear that ‘the intentions of the protesters are bad and they cannot be compromised’, that is, the POJK PM’s offer of talks fell on deaf ears.
What did India demand from UN?
India has raised this entire issue at the international level. Kashmiri activist Javed Baig submitted a memorandum to the United Nations Military Observer Group (UNMOGIP). It said, ‘Pakistan is carrying out state terrorism in Rawalakot.’ The memorandum demands that the UN immediately conduct an independent investigation.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal fiercely targeted Pakistan in the press briefing. He said, ‘We are seeing serious reports of police brutality in POJK. Many protesters have been killed. Pakistan is taking help of fake videos and false propaganda. This is a desperate attempt to hide his failures. The international community should hold Pakistan accountable for its human rights violations.
India’s clear message is that Pakistan is killing its own people and then calling it an ‘Indian conspiracy’. India wants the world to look at the real face of POJK.
What is the world saying about Pakistan’s actions?
- Britain: Large demonstrations took place outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford city. About 30 British MPs have demanded their government to put pressure on Pakistan.
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan: HRCP issued a statement saying that it is shocked by the violence of POJK and imposing terrorist law on JAAC is barbaric.
- Amnesty International: Strongly criticized the ‘large scale repression’ of Pakistani Army.
- America: Kashmiri activists living there attacked US President Trump and said that the friendship between Trump and Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir has become a problem for Kashmiris.
Pakistan Army’s ‘Crush and Eliminate’ order
The most scary news is that Pakistani Army has given orders to ‘crush and eliminate’ JAAC leaders. More than 14,000 security personnel have been deployed in POJK. A reward of 1 crore Pakistani rupees (about 30 lakh Indian rupees) has been placed on the heads of four main leaders of JAAC. Media blackout continues i.e. no TV channel, no internet and no mobile network.
Why is this matter so important?
First of all, POJK elections are going to be held on 27th July 2026. The question of 12 refugee seats can directly change the electoral equation. This is the reason why Pakistani Army does not want to make any compromise.
Secondly, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through this POJK. If the rebellion spreads here, China’s billion-dollar project will be in danger. This is the reason why China is silent till now, but its eyes are in this direction.
The situation still remains critical. JAAC has again announced a march on June 11. Pakistani Army has put up barricades on the march routes. Only time will tell how bloody this conflict will be, but it is certain that the silence in POJK is the silence before the storm.