Tragic Violence in PoK: Awami Action Committee Reports 37 Deaths in Rawalakot

The Awami Action Committee (AAC) has reported a devastating incident in Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where they claim that at least 37 individuals lost their lives and over 400 others were injured due to gunfire from Pakistani security forces. This violence erupted during what the AAC described as a peaceful 'Long March' aimed at advocating for fundamental rights and better public services. The march commenced following a call for protests issued on July 27, with the intention of moving from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants who were reportedly peaceful and organized, carrying white flags symbolizing their quest for peace.

During a press conference, AAC leader Umar Nazir Kashmiri expressed deep concern over the actions of the security forces, alleging that they responded with disproportionate force against unarmed civilians. Kashmiri emphasized that despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, the protesters were met with brutality, including the use of modern weaponry against them. He stated that the tragic events on Sunday resulted in 37 fatalities and numerous injuries from gunfire. Furthermore, he claimed that the violence did not cease with the initial outbreak, as reports of additional casualties emerged from locations such as Rawalakot's bus terminal and Chandni Chowk, where ongoing sit-in protests were taking place. Kashmiri also mentioned the shooting of a local trader, Sardar Farooq, who was reportedly targeted while on his way to a supply market, indicating a broader pattern of violence against civilians in the area.