Over 50 Killed, Hundreds Injured as Pakistani Crackdown Intensifies in PoK Amid Escalating Unrest

August 1, 2026

Islamabad: More than 50 people have been killed and hundreds injured over the past four days as Pakistani security forces intensified a crackdown on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to local activists and international human rights organisations. The unrest has sparked widespread condemnation, with rights groups calling for an immediate end to the use of force against civilians.

According to the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), protests continued across the Muzaffarabad region late into the night as demonstrators demanded the protection of fundamental rights and the implementation of commitments previously made by local authorities.

JAAC Alleges Excessive Use of Force

JAAC member Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri claimed on social media platform X that Pakistani forces had killed more than 50 people during the past four days while hundreds of others sustained injuries.

The committee alleged that security personnel used excessive force against peaceful protesters, further escalating tensions across the occupied territory. Demonstrators have continued to stage protests despite heavy security deployment.

Human Rights Foundation Condemns Crackdown

The US-based Human Rights Foundation (HRF) strongly condemned the reported violence and urged Pakistani authorities to immediately halt the crackdown. The organisation called for the restoration of mobile communication services, an end to restrictions on media access, and accountability for all unlawful use of force.

Citing local civil society groups, HRF alleged that Pakistani security forces opened fire on thousands of peaceful protesters. It also said protest organisers accused authorities of removing bodies from hospitals and detaining activists in an alleged attempt to conceal evidence.

The rights body further stated that an internet blackout and severe restrictions on media access have made independent verification of events increasingly difficult.

Appeal Raised at the United Nations

Meanwhile, a delegation of the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), led by Chairman Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, met officials at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to highlight the deteriorating human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The delegation urged the United Nations, international human rights organisations, and democratic governments to take immediate action to prevent further loss of life and protect civilians. It also called on Pakistani authorities to stop using excessive force, hand over the bodies of those killed to their families, disclose the whereabouts of all detained individuals, and release those allegedly held unlawfully.

The situation in PoK remains tense as protests continue, with growing international concern over reports of civilian casualties, restrictions on communication, and alleged human rights violations.