Deadly Clashes Erupt During Elections in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir
Protests during the regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have led to deadly clashes. Leaders of a banned Kashmiri group reported on Wednesday that more than 30 people were killed in skirmishes with security forces around one town, shortly before the second round of elections.
On Monday, Pakistan’s primary governing party, the PML-N, secured nine out of 13 seats in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber. Originally, the election was set to occur in a single round on July 27, but officials divided it into three separate votes by district, citing security concerns. The subsequent rounds are scheduled for August 2 and August 10.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a party founded by Imran Khan, opted to boycott the vote, expressing concerns about electoral fraud. Protests last month turned deadly after the regional government banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the region’s primary protest movement, in June. Since then, banking, roads, and internet services have faced significant disruptions, obstructing information flow. As a result, Reuters could not independently verify the JAAC’s claim that over 30 had died around Rawalakot due to the clashes.
Authorities reported that one security personnel died and five others sustained injuries during the clashes on Monday. An anonymous official noted that they were aware of at least three protester fatalities in Mirpur this week. Pakistani authorities have defended the crackdown, alleging that armed militants, backed by India, joined the Kashmiri protestors. India has consistently denied such claims.
The entire election was a fraud,
said Fazal Mahmood Baig, a resident in the regional capital of Muzaffarabad, on Wednesday. From a protest in Islamabad, Sardar Mazhar expressed a desire for peaceful resolution.
Tensions in this self-governing part of Kashmir have long-standing roots, gaining momentum recently. Supporters of greater autonomy accuse the national government in Islamabad of meddling in local politics and economic neglect. Economic issues frequently lead to protests. In 2022, locals demonstrated against high electricity prices, despite the region supplying cheap hydroelectric power to other parts of Pakistan.
The JAAC, established in 2023, channeled these grievances, focusing on demands for electoral reform. Twelve of the 45 directly elected seats in the local legislative assembly are reserved for constituencies representing what the regional constitution describes as refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir. However, these seats are often occupied by non-residents, leading to accusations of political manipulation by Islamabad, though Pakistani officials deny these allegations.