PoK Crisis Deepens: JAAC Details Brutal State Crackdown Ahead of July 5 Shutdown, Appeals To India

Rawalkot: Ahead of a coordinated wave of worldwide demonstrations organised by human rights activists, a harrowing picture of institutional oppression and administrative breakdown has emerged across Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

The growing outrage comes after a series of highly volatile, state-led crackdowns by Pakistani military and paramilitary units designed to crush indigenous civil rights movements.

The region-wide crisis reached a flashpoint in Rawalakot, where Pakistani security forces and federal paramilitary units opened indiscriminate live fire on massive gatherings of unarmed, peaceful protesters.

According to local civil rights organisations and eyewitnesses, the sudden and brutal deployment of kinetic force left numerous activists dead and hundreds severely injured, triggering absolute panic and forcing thousands of defenceless citizens to run for cover.

Following the violence, the regional administration intensified its enforcement of a sweeping communications blackout. 

Major transit arteries have been blocked, active internet services remain suspended, and critical food rations have been deliberately restricted to prevent citizens from organising further assemblies.

The civilian resistance is being led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an umbrella alliance of traders, lawyers, and students that was officially designated as a proscribed organisation under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism legislation on June 5.

The JAAC leadership has continued to mobilise tens of thousands against Islamabad’s heavy-handed administrative dominance.

While the unrest originally grew from basic economic grievances, including extortionate electricity tariffs, severe wheat shortages, and the rollback of essential subsidies, it has rapidly evolved into a historic political challenge to Pakistan's territorial control.

Local populations are now demanding the total abolition of the 12 legislative seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Assembly that are strictly reserved for non-resident refugees living in mainland Pakistan.

The protest leadership has called on India and the broader international community to support their struggle against Islamabad’s authoritarian oversight.

As global demonstrations launch, shutter-down strikes and emergency sit-ins continue to spread across major regional hubs like Muzaffarabad and Mirpur.

Local leaders are demanding immediate, independent international investigations into the state-sanctioned bloodshed in Rawalakot and the ongoing human rights emergency gripping the territory.