Pakistan-occupied Kashmir faces reports of human rights abuses and humanitarian crisis

Reports of escalating human rights abuses and humanitarian distress in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have drawn attention from political groups and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) has called for international intervention, citing allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and the destruction of private property by Pakistani forces. The group noted that dozens of civilians have reportedly died since June 5, alongside hundreds of arrests and communication blackouts.

Simultaneously, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that residents in PoK are facing severe shortages of daily essentials and require the solidarity of the international community. Large-scale protest rallies, supported by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), have been documented in areas such as Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bokhara, and Mandhol. Protesters, including many women and children, have demonstrated against the use of force by security forces, with reports of injuries resulting from gunfire during these demonstrations.