PoK under lockdown threat as Internet blackout, heavy security deployment reported

September 29, 2025

Muzaffarabad: Tension is escalating across Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) ahead of a planned strike on September 29, with authorities imposing a complete internet and telecom shutdown and deploying large numbers of police and paramilitary forces.

The Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), a coalition of civil society groups and political outfits, has called for a “Shutter Down/Chakka Jam” strike demanding greater autonomy, justice, and relief measures. In response, the puppet government led by Chaudhary Anwarul Haq has blocked all internet services across the region, drawing sharp criticism from rights activists who described the move as an attempt to suppress dissent.

According to reports, additional contingents of security personnel have been rushed to Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and other towns. Islamabad police said it has arranged for 2,000 officers while the Interior Ministry approved the deployment of 167 platoons of the Frontier Constabulary across PoJK to curb the protests.

On September 28, protests intensified in Mirpur, where videos circulating online showed Pakistani security forces opening fire on demonstrators. Several clashes between locals and police were reported, though the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed due to the communication blackout.

The JKJAAC has been spearheading protests in recent months, accusing Islamabad of ignoring the region’s economic distress and exploiting local resources without accountability. The latest strike call is seen as a major test of Islamabad’s control over the territory, where public anger has been mounting.

Observers warn that the security clampdown and communication blockade could further inflame tensions. With the complete internet shutdown preventing independent verification of events, the situation on the ground remains uncertain.