24 killed, 97 injured in Pakistan-administered Kashmir protests

Widespread protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have led to a significant loss of life and widespread disruption, with at least 24 people killed and 97 others injured. Authorities have also detained 515 individuals amid the ongoing unrest, which has seen large-scale shutdowns, road blockades, and internet service disruptions across the region. The escalating situation highlights deep divisions and tensions within the territory.

The protests were ignited ahead of the upcoming elections for the region's 45-seat legislative assembly, specifically targeting the allocation of 12 reserved seats designated for refugees displaced from Indian-administered Kashmir. This decision has become a focal point of contention, fueling anger and mobilizing opposition against the current political arrangements.

According to regional police reports, four police officers were among those killed during clashes with protesters. The strike was organized by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an organization recently declared illegal by the Pakistani government. Thousands of JAAC supporters gathered outside Rawalakot, a city approximately 100 kilometers south of the regional capital Muzaffarabad, to voice their grievances.

In response to the escalating protests, Pakistani authorities implemented stringent measures, including blocking major roads, suspending internet services, and restricting media access in significant parts of the region. In Muzaffarabad, businesses and markets remained closed, banking services were severely hampered by the internet shutdown, and authorities ordered petrol stations to cease operations, further paralyzing daily life and intensifying the impact of the protests.