New Delhi: India on Tuesday strongly criticised Pakistan over the deaths of protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying Islamabad must be held responsible for alleged human rights violations in the region.
Speaking during a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal accused Pakistan of attempting to divert attention from its internal failures through βfake news and videos.β He alleged that Islamabad was trying to shift focus away from reports of police excesses and violence in PoK.
Jaiswal said there were reports of severe police brutality in the region, which allegedly resulted in multiple deaths and injuries among protesters. He added that India hoped the international community would hold Pakistan accountable for what it described as abuses against civilians.
Deadly Clashes Ahead of Planned Protest
The violence reportedly erupted ahead of a protest demonstration called by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an alliance of traders, activists and civil society groups operating in PoK.
According to reports cited by Reuters and other media agencies, clashes broke out when security forces attempted to disperse demonstrators gathered outside a hospital morgue in Rawalakot. The protesters had assembled following the death of a JAAC member in alleged police firing.
Officials from Pakistan-administered Kashmir claimed that several police personnel and civilians were also killed during the violence. Authorities said security forces responded after protesters allegedly attacked law enforcement personnel using firearms and petrol bombs.
ππππ€π₯π² ππππ’π ππ«π’πππ’π§π ππ² πππ ππππ’ππ’ππ₯ ππ©π¨π€ππ¬π©ππ«π¬π¨π§ @MEAIndia spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal comments on protests in PoJK:
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 9, 2026
He says, "we continue to see a pattern of fake news and videos emanating from Pakistan. It is a desperate attempt⦠pic.twitter.com/1FpujQY63N
Police officials stated that dozens of people, including security personnel and protesters, sustained injuries during the clashes, while several arrests were made in the region.
JAAC Protests Over Political Representation
The JAAC had called for a shutdown and demonstrations against the reservation of 12 seats for refugees in the July 27 elections to the legislative assembly in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The alliance has been demanding the removal of these reserved seats, arguing that many candidates contesting them do not reside in Kashmir but in other parts of Pakistan.
Authorities in the region recently declared the JAAC a banned organisation under anti-terror legislation and advised tourists to leave the area ahead of the planned protests.
Meanwhile, JAAC leaders accused the administration of suppressing public dissent and using excessive force against civilians. Government officials, however, defended the police action, saying it was aimed at maintaining law and order.