Six Civilians Killed in Clashes After Security Forces Crack Down in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir

July 14, 2026

Rawalakot: At least six civilians were killed after clashes erupted between residents and Pakistani security forces in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to local reports. The violence followed a security operation in Rawalakot, where authorities allegedly used live fire during confrontations near the New Bus Terminal.

Those reported killed include Zahid Mughal, Zafar Mughal, Arsalan Akbar and Wajid Hayat, who lost his life near the Matial Mira Bus Terminal in Rawalakot. The incident has further heightened tensions in the region, where protests against Islamabad have intensified in recent months.

A day before the violence, members of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir diaspora gathered outside the White House in Washington, D.C., calling for global attention to what they described as worsening humanitarian conditions in the region. Around 100 protesters, including women, children and community representatives, participated in the demonstration.

The protesters urged Pakistani security forces to withdraw from civilian areas and appealed to the international community to intervene over allegations of excessive force against unarmed civilians. They also claimed that a prolonged internet shutdown had left millions of people isolated from the outside world.

The demonstrators further called for opening humanitarian corridors through the Line of Control via the Poonch and Doda sectors to facilitate the delivery of essential relief to affected residents.

Beyond the recent unrest, locals continue to face significant economic and humanitarian challenges. A 2025 study published in Nature reported that while nearly two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture and livestock for their livelihood, more than half of households experience food insecurity. The study also noted that undernourishment is considerably higher in the region than Pakistan’s national average, with conditions particularly severe in remote mountainous areas.

Healthcare indicators also remain a concern. According to Pakistan’s Voluntary National Review Report, 39 per cent of children under the age of five are affected by stunted growth, while the country’s maternal mortality ratio stands at 104 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs criticised Pakistan over the developments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ongoing protests reflected years of “systematic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights and administrative oppression” in the region.

He further alleged that Pakistani authorities had responded to public grievances with police action, restrictions on essential supplies, internet shutdowns and the use of force against civilians. India also urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable over the reported crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.