Even as Pakistan’s establishment has labelled the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK)-based Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) as an armed and "proscribed" organisation, the group has continued its protest movement despite a massive security deployment, bloodshed, and a harsh crackdown. Violent clashes between the occupying establishment’s forces and residents of POK on Tuesday, which left 12 people dead, have paved the way for the JAAC’s planned high-profile march to Muzaffarabad on Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities have sealed cities across POK. According to BBC Urdu, an undeclared media blackout was imposed in Rawalakot, with journalists prevented from entering the city.
After a month of sustained protests, POK remained tense on Wednesday following clashes that killed at least 12 people, including two security personnel, just a day before the JAAC’s planned march from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad, the administrative centre of POK.
Reports indicate that thousands of people have gathered across multiple towns and cities, while JAAC leaders claimed that nearly 40,000 protesters were expected to participate in the march to Muzaffarabad.
The latest violence comes amid one of the largest anti-government movements the region has witnessed in years. To prevent the march, the establishment has deployed around 4,000 Rangers, police, and Frontier Corps personnel, BBC Urdu reported.
The unrest in the Indian territory illegally occupied by Pakistan since 1947 represents a significant escalation after weeks of demonstrations over governance, inflation, and political representation in POK. The protests initially began over the JAAC’s opposition to Assembly seats reserved for outsiders and allegations of discrimination but have since evolved into a broader movement demanding political and economic reforms.
Under Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership, the establishment has responded through arrests, internet shutdowns, intensified security operations, and additional troop deployments. Protesters, however, have accused the state of suppressing dissent.
As the protests intensified last month, JAAC leaders alleged that Pakistan’s hybrid regime had blocked food and medicine supplies for weeks. They appealed to India for humanitarian assistance and asked supporters whether the movement should advance towards the Line of Control.
India on Tuesday stated that the protests in POK highlighted Pakistan’s decades-long "systemic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression" in territories under its "illegal and forcible occupation". External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also accused Pakistan of using excessive force against protesters and urged the international community to hold Islamabad accountable for what he described as "egregious abuses and misdeeds".
POK CLASHES LEAVE 12 DEAD AS PAKISTAN DEPLOYS 4,000 SECURITY PERSONNEL
BBC Urdu reported that two separate clashes in the so-called "Poonch Division" on Tuesday resulted in 12 deaths, including 10 civilians and two security personnel. Officials told the broadcaster that the security personnel killed included one Rangers member and one police officer, while the remaining victims were civilians.
The violence occurred a day before the JAAC’s scheduled long march from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad, set to begin at 2 pm on Wednesday (Pakistan Standard Time).
With authorities anticipating large crowds, nearly 4,000 Rangers, police, and Frontier Corps personnel have been deployed throughout POK, according to BBC Urdu.
Officials have declared that protesters will not be allowed to march towards Muzaffarabad. Security reinforcements have been stationed along major routes as the Munir-led establishment prepares for possible confrontations.
Pakistani authorities have consistently described the clashes as attacks carried out by "armed JAAC activists". Police alleged that, after failing to attract public support, the organisation resorted to indiscriminate firing near the New Bus Terminal in an attempt to shift blame onto security forces.
Similarly, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported that two law enforcement personnel were "martyred", while seven members of the "proscribed JAAC" were killed during what authorities termed a "clearance" operation.
'HAD WE PICKED UP GUNS...' JAAC REJECTS ALLEGATIONS
The JAAC has strongly denied the allegations. In a post on X, the committee rejected responsibility for the death of the Rangers personnel. Addressing videos circulating online that appeared to show armed individuals, it said, "These people are trying to deceive the public."
"If we had intended to take up arms, we would not have had to carry the bodies of so many of our unarmed brothers until today," the committee stated.
The JAAC further alleged that security forces had deployed armed men in civilian clothing to fire shots and falsely portray them as Action Committee members.
"The Action Committee belongs to the people, and the people are peaceful; they are unarmed," it said in another post.
The committee also warned that false narratives were being spread and urged the public to remain vigilant and identify those carrying out the firing while dressed as civilians. It reiterated that its supporters were peaceful and unarmed.
WHAT IS THE LONG MARCH IN POK ABOUT?
The long march forms part of the JAAC’s wider campaign against what it describes as discrimination and economic injustice by the Pakistani government in POK.
Its demands include ending privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, reducing political appointments, abolishing Assembly seats reserved for "Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan", withdrawing cases against JAAC activists, opposing the deployment of Rangers, improving healthcare and education, ensuring local control over natural resources, providing compensation related to the Mangla Dam, introducing administrative reforms, and guaranteeing employment support.
The committee’s 38-point charter also seeks student union elections, judicial reforms, tax relief, improved public services, and a minimum monthly wage of 50,000 Pakistani rupees.
As the protests escalated, JAAC leaders also alleged that Pakistan’s hybrid regime had blocked food and medicine supplies for several weeks, creating a humanitarian crisis and fuelling public anger. Protest leader Sardar Aman Khan appealed to India for humanitarian assistance and asked supporters whether the movement should proceed towards the Line of Control.
